Sc Solid State NMR studies of the silicides ScTSi (T=Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt)

The silicides ScTSi (T=Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt) were synthesized by arc-melting and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. The structures of ScCoSi, ScRuSi, ScPdSi, and ScIrSi were refined from single crystal diffractometer data. These silicides crystallize with the TiNiSi type, space group Pnma. No systematic influences of the ⁴⁵Sc isotropic magnetic shift and nuclear electric quadrupolar coupling parameters on various structural distortion parameters calculated from the crystal structure data can be detected. ⁴⁵Sc MAS-NMR data suggest systematic trends in the local electronic structure probed by the scandium atoms: both the electric field gradients and the isotropic magnetic shifts relative to a 0.2 M aqueous Sc(NO₃)₃ solution decrease with increasing valence electron concentration and within each T group the isotropic magnetic shift decreases monotonically with increasing atomic number. The ⁴⁵Sc nuclear electric quadrupolar coupling constants are generally well reproduced by quantum mechanical electric field gradient calculations using the WIEN2k code.     

Structure,chemical bonding,and 45Sc solid state NMR of Sc2RuSi2

The silicide Sc₂RuSi₂ was synthesized from the elements by arc-melting. The structure was refined on the basis of single crystal X-ray diffractometer data: Zr₂CoSi₂ type, C2/m, a = 1004.7 (2), b = 406.8 (1), c = 946.6 (2) pm, β = 117.95 (2), wR2 = 0.0230, 743 F² values, and 32 variables. The structure consists of a rigid three-dimensional [RuSi₂] network in which the two crystallographically independent scandium atoms fill larger cages of coordination numbers 16 and 15, respectively. The [RuSi₂] network shows short Ru–Si distances (234–247 pm) and two different Si₂ pairs: Si1–Si1 at 247 and Si2–Si2 at 243 pm. Each silicon atom has trigonal prismatic Sc₆ (for Si2) or Sc₄Ru₂ (for Si1) coordination. These building units are condensed via common edges and faces. The various Sc–Sc distances between the prisms range from 327 to 361 pm. From electronic structure investigation within DFT, chemical bonding shows a major role of Ru–Si bonding and the presence of strong electron localization around Si–Si pairs pointing to a polyanionic silicide network [RuSi₂]^δ?. The ⁴⁵Sc MAS-NMR spectra recorded at 11.7 and 9.4 T clearly resolve the two distinct scandium sites. The large electric field gradients present at both scandium sites result in typical line shapes arising from second-order quadrupole perturbation effects.     

A Mössbauer spectroscopy investigation of SrFe1−xScxO3−δ perovskites

Polycrystalline samples of oxygen deficient perovskites SrFe_1?xSc_xO_3?δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) have been synthesized by direct solid state reactions. Each compound has been stabilized with two different oxygen stoichiometries. The structural study shows, firstly, the good cationic homogeneity of the samples and, secondly, that the Sc and Fe atoms are randomly distributed over the same crystallographic site, whatever the scandium content. This implies that no anionic order is possible. A detailed Mossbauer spectroscopy study clearly shows that the substitution of scandium for iron involves an oxygen content decrease which decreases the tetravalent iron content until its total disappearance for x = 0.5. The evolutions of the isomer shift, the quadrupolar splitting and the relative intensity versus the Sc³⁺ content are depicted in the present paper.     

Synthesis of (NHC)Rh(cod)Cl and (NHC)RhCl(CO)2 complexes – Translation of the Rh- into the Ir-scale for the electronic properties of NHC ligands

Twenty-three different Rh complexes of the (NHC)RhCl(cod) and (NHC)RhCl(CO)₂ type were synthesized from [RhCl(cod)]₂. The electron donating nature of the NHC ligands was changed in a systematic manner. The redox potentials of the various (NHC)RhCl(cod) and the ν(CO) of the various (NHC)RhCl(CO)₂ were determined. A correlation of the Rh redox potentials and the Rh ν(CO), respectively, with the related data from analogous (NHC)IrCl(cod) and (NHC)IrCl(CO)₂ complexes established two linear relationships. The linear regression (R² = 0.993) of the Rh and the Ir redox potentials results in an equation for the redox potential transformation: E_1/2(Ir) = 1.016 · E_1/2(Rh) ? 0.076 V. The linear regression (R² = 0.97) of the Rh and Ir ν_av(CO) results in an equation for the ν_av(CO) transformation: ν_av(CO)Ir = 0.8695 · ν_av(CO)Rh + 250.7 cm^?1. In this manner the Rh and the Ir-scale for the determination of the electron donating properties of NHC ligands are unified.     

A 45Sc-NMR and DFT calculation study of crystalline scandium compounds

A series of scandium compounds, namely ScPO₄, ScOF, Li₃Sc(BO₃)₂, and CaSc₂O₄, were prepared according to procedures described in the literature, and then characterised by powder X-ray diffraction and solid-state ⁴⁵Sc-NMR spectroscopy. By computer fitting, the quadrupolar interaction parameters χ and η, as well as the isotropic chemical shifts δ_iso were extracted from the NMR spectra. For comparison and site assignment of ⁴⁵Sc, density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the EFG tensor were carried out with the Castep code. For the compounds with a well-defined formal coordination number (CN), a convincing linear correlation between CN and isotropic chemical shift could be established.     

Functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene iridium complexes: Synthesis,structure and addition polymerization of norbornene

Picolyl, pyridine, and methyl functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene iridium complexes [Cp¹Ir(C^N)Cl]Cl (4, C^N = 3-Methyl-1-picolyimidazol-2-ylidene), [Cp¹Ir(C^N)Cl][Cp¹IrCl₃] (5), [Cp¹Ir(C-N)Cl]Cl (6, C-N = 3-Methyl-1-pyridylimidazol-2-ylidene) and [Cp¹Ir(L)Cl₂] (7, L = 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) have been synthesized by transmetallation from Ag(I) carbene species, and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR spectra and elemental analyses. The molecular structures of 5–7 have been confirmed by X-ray single-crystal analyses. The iridium carbene complexes 4 and 6 show moderate catalytic activities (3.03 × 10⁵ g PNB (mol Ir)^?1 h^?1 and 1.70 × 10⁶ g PNB (mol Ir)^?1 h^?1) for the addition polymerization of norbornene in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) as co-catalyst. The produced polynorbornene have been characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra, showing it follows the vinyl-addition-type of polymerization.     

Construction of M–M bonds in late transition metal complexes

The 16-electron Co, Rh and Ir half-sandwich complexes of Cp^#M[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] and Cp^#M(E₂S₂C₆H₄) (M = Co, Rh, Ir, Ru; E = S, Se) containing chelating 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1,2-dichalcogenolato ligands and benzenedithiolato ligands are promising precursors to build multimetallic clusters by reactions with low oxidation state late transition metal reagents. Such reactions lead to successful constructions of M–M bonds between iridium, rhodium, cobalt, ruthenium, and other late transition metals. Most of these complexes have been characterized by X-ray single crystal determinations and some have been studied by computational methods. Such theoretical studies reveal the covalent bonding nature of those multinuclear complexes. Some of these clusters have been found to have interesting nonlinear optical properties.     

New thioether–dithiolate complexes of Cp1Ir and some reactivity features

The reaction of [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ (Cp* = η⁵ ? C₅Me₅) with the tridentate 3-thiapentane-1,5-dithiolate ligand, S(CH₂CH₂S^?)₂ (tpdt), led to the formation of [Cp1Ir(η³ ? tpdt)] (1) in 81% isolated yield. Subsequent reactions of 1 with [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of [Cp1Ir(μ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)Cp1IrCl][PF₆] (2) and [Cp1Irμ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)Cp1IrCl][Cp1IrCl₃] (3) in 86 and 79% yields, respectively, based on 1, whereas the reactions of 1 with [(COD)IrCl]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of the homo-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ ? η¹:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)IrCl (4) (92% yield) and [Cp1Ir(μ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)Ir] [(COD)IrCl₂] (5) (82% yield). Reactions between 1 and [(COD)RhCl]₂, yielded the hetero-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ ? η¹:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)RhCl (6) and [Cp1Ir(μ ? η²:η³ ? tpdt)(COD)Rh][(COD)RhCl₂] (7), in 92 and 93% yields, respectively. The reaction of 1 with methyl iodide gave mono-methylated derivative [Cp1Ir(η³-C₄H₈S₃Me)]I (8) (93% yield). All these compounds have been comprehensively characterized.     

New thioether–dithiolate complexes of Cp1Ir and some reactivity features

The reaction of [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ (Cp* = η⁵ − C₅Me₅) with the tridentate 3-thiapentane-1,5-dithiolate ligand, S(CH₂CH₂S⁻)₂ (tpdt), led to the formation of [Cp1Ir(η³ − tpdt)] (1) in 81% isolated yield. Subsequent reactions of 1 with [Cp1IrCl₂]₂ in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of [Cp1Ir(μ − η²:η³ − tpdt)Cp1IrCl][PF₆] (2) and [Cp1Irμ − η²:η³ − tpdt)Cp1IrCl][Cp1IrCl₃] (3) in 86 and 79% yields, respectively, based on 1, whereas the reactions of 1 with [(COD)IrCl]₂ (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) in 2:1 and 1:1 molar equiv ratios resulted in the formation of the homo-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ − η¹:η³ − tpdt)(COD)IrCl (4) (92% yield) and [Cp1Ir(μ − η²:η³ − tpdt)(COD)Ir] [(COD)IrCl₂] (5) (82% yield). Reactions between 1 and [(COD)RhCl]₂, yielded the hetero-bimetallic derivatives Cp1Ir(μ − η¹:η³ − tpdt)(COD)RhCl (6) and [Cp1Ir(μ − η²:η³ − tpdt)(COD)Rh][(COD)RhCl₂] (7), in 92 and 93% yields, respectively. The reaction of 1 with methyl iodide gave mono-methylated derivative [Cp1Ir(η³-C₄H₈S₃Me)]I (8) (93% yield). All these compounds have been comprehensively characterized.     

Solid electrolyte of fully conjugated,water–soluble rigid-rod polymer with articulated backbone for isotropic ionic conductivity

An intractable and fully conjugated, aromatic, heterocyclic rigid-rod polymer poly[1,7-dihydrobenzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]diimidazo-2,6-diyl-(2-sulfo)-p-phenylene] (sPBI) was derivatized with isophthalic acid for an articulated rigid-rod polymer asPBI. This molecular backbone alternation significantly changed the intrinsic viscosity [η] of sPBI from 9.4 dL/g to 1.1 dL/g for asPBI containing minute (1/50 molar ratio) articulation moiety indicating more a coil-like polymer for asPBI. Both sPBI and asPBI were reacted with 1,3-propanesultone in dimethylsulfoxide containing lithium hydroxide for water–soluble polyelectrolytes sPBI-Li⁺ and asPBI-Li⁺, respectively. The polyelectrolytes were dissolved in aqueous solution with up to 5 wt.% of LiI dopant and cast into films. Direct-current conductivity (σ) was measured at room-temperature parallel to the film surface yielding σ_∥=3.2 × 10⁻³ S/cm and 2.8 × 10⁻³ S/cm for sPBI-Li⁺ and asPBI-Li⁺ (1/15), respectively. X-ray scattering and electron microscopy suggested that the cast films of sPBI-Li⁺ was in-plane isotropic but out-of-the plane anisotropic, and of asPBI-Li⁺ was three-dimensionally isotropic. It suggested that cast films of asPBI-Li⁺ having articulated backbone acquired an isotropic microstructure as well as an isotropic room-temperature σ superior to those of other solid polyelectrolytes.     

Dinuclear Rh(I) complex with 2,7-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,8-naphthyridine: Synthesis,structure, and dynamic property

Reaction of [RhCl(cod)]₂ with 2,7-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,8-naphthyridine (dpnapy) and 2,6-xylyl isocyanide (XylNC) in the presence of NH₄PF₆ afforded the dirhodium(I) complex, [Rh₂(μ-dpnapy)₂(XylNC)₄](PF₆)₂ (5), and similar procedures using [MCl₂(cod)] (M = Pt, Pd) resulted in the formation of [Pt₂(μ-dpnapy)₂(XylNC)₄](PF₆)₄ (6) and [Pd₂Cl₂(μ-dpnapy)₂(XylNC)₂](PF₆)₂ (7). Complexes 5–7 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–Vis, ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR, and ESI mass spectroscopic techniques, to involve a small and rigid d⁸ {M₂(μ-dpnapy)₂} metallomacrocycle. Complex 5 readily incorporated a silver(I) ion into the macrocycle to afford [Rh₂Ag(μ-dpnapy)₂(XylNC)₄](PF₆)₃ (8) which was characterized by X-ray crystallography. The Ag(I) ion is trapped by two trans N atoms of dpnapy ligands, resulting in an asymmetric Rh–Ag⋯Rh structure, determined as a disordered model in the crystal structure, and however, in a CH₂Cl₂ solution, a dynamic interconversion of the two Ag-trapped sites was observed with low-temperature NMR studies, which was further supported by DFT molecular orbital calculations. When an acetonitrile solution of complex 5 was treated over a droplet of mercury(0), the polymeric compound formulated as {[Rh(μ-dpnapy)(XylNC)₂](PF₆)}_n (9) was isolated as yellow single crystals, which were revealed by X-ray crystallography to consist of C₆ helical rods along c axis with a pitch of 33.5 Å (rise of unit = 5.6 Å) and a diameter of 20.64 Å.     

A family of dodecanuclear Mn11Ln single-molecule magnets

A series of four isostructural dodecanuclear complexes [Mn^III₉Mn^II₂Ln^III(O)₈(OH)(piv)₁₆(NO₃)(CH₃CN)]·xCH₃CN·yC₇H₁₆ (piv = pivalate; x = ½, y = ¾, Ln = Tb (1); x = 2, y = ½, Ln = Dy (2), Ho (3), and Y (4)) has been prepared for which the structural motif described as ‘a lanthanide ion nested in a large manganese shell’ is observed. All compounds show out-of-phase signals in their ac susceptibilities, and their single-molecule magnet behaviour was confirmed by single-crystal micro-SQUID studies of 1-3 which show hysteresis loops of molecular origin at T < 1.0 K. The SMM behaviour observed in compounds 1-3 is more pronounced than that for 4, which contains the diamagnetic Y^III ion. This is principally the result of ferromagnetic coupling between the paramagnetic anisotropic Ln^III ions (Tb^III, Dy^III and Ho^III) and the manganese shell, which enhances the total spin ground state of the complexes.     

Characterization,stability, and origin of natural radiation-induced defects in the biogenic calcite of Belemnitella americana from the Upper Cretaceous: An electron paramagnetic resonance study

The rostrum of Belemnitella americana (Morton) from the Marshalltown formation (Kmt, Upper Cretaceous) of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The rostrum composed of biogenic calcite possessed inorganic radical centers CO₂⁻, SO₂⁻, and SO₃⁻ with isotropic resonances with g values of 2.0007, 2.0057, and 2.0031, respectively. SO₃⁻ was found to also display an axially symmetric resonance typical of that seen in calcite of geologic origin with g_⊥=2.0036 and g_∥=2.0021. Mn²⁺ signals of orthorhombic symmetry and very narrow line width (∼0.1 mT) were also noted (|D|=9.3 mT (∼0.009 cm⁻¹), |E|=3.1 mT (∼0.003 cm⁻¹)). Isochronal annealing studies reveal that these inorganic radical species reside in energy traps that are significantly deeper than previously determined as revealed by their annealing temperatures: SO₂⁻ (isotropic), T^*∼340 °C; SO₃⁻ (isotropic), T^*∼230 °C; SO₃⁻ (axial), T^*∼190 °C. These data suggest that these spin centers may be used to extend the upper limit for dating purposes to times on the order of 1 Ma for SO₃⁻ (axial) and 200–300 Ma for SO₃⁻ (isotropic). Spin–spin and spin–lattice relaxation studies employing progressive microwave saturation were determined for all sulfur-based radical species and found to be consistent with the supposition of the isotropic signals existing in environments that are conducive to dynamic averaging of the g-anisotropy.     

Synthesis,antiviral activity,and 3D-QSAR study of novel chalcone derivatives containing malonate and pyridine moieties

Several novel chalcone derivatives containing malonate and pyridine moieties were synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance, ¹⁹F nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, and elemental analyses. Antiviral bioassays revealed that most of the compounds exhibited good antiviral activity against cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) at 500 μg/mL. In particular, compounds 5l and 5n showed significant curative activities against CMV in vivo with 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) values of 186.2 and 211.5 μg/mL, respectively; these values are even better than that of ningnanmycin (330.5 μg/mL). A 3D quantitative structure–activity relationship study was carried out using the comparative molecular field analysis technique based on curative activities against CMV. Results revealed good predictive ability with cross-validated q² and non-cross-validated r² values of 0.517 and 0.990, respectively.     

Novel amphiphilic triblock copolymer based on PPDO,PCL, and PEG: Synthesis,characterization, and aqueous dispersion

Amphiphilic triblock copolymer, poly(p-dioxanone-co-caprolactone)-block-poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(p-dioxanone-co-caprolactone) (PPDO-co-PCL-b-PEO-b-PPDO-co-PCL) was synthesized by ring opening polymerization (ROP) of p-dioxanone and ɛ-caprolactone initiated through the hydroxyl end of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in the presence of stannous 2-ethyl hexanoate [Sn(oct)₂] as a catalyst. Polymerization and structural features of the polymers were analyzed by different physicochemical techniques (GPC, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT-IR, DSC and TGA). The splitting of ¹H NMR resonance at δ 2.3 and δ 4.1 ppm reveals the random copolymerization. Polymeric nanoparticles were prepared in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) by co-solvent evaporation technique at room temperature (25 °C). Existence of hydrophobic domains as cores of the micelles were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and further confirmed with fluorescence technique using pyrene as a probe. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the polymer in phosphate buffer (pH. 7.4) was decreased from 2.3 × 10⁻³ to 7.6 × 10⁻⁴ g/L with the fraction of PCL. Polymeric nanoparticles observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) were uniform and spherical, with smooth textured of around 50–30 nm diameter. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) measurements showed a monodisperse size distribution of around 113–90 nm hydrodynamic diameters and negative zeta (ζ) potential (−4 to −14 mV), respectively. The investigations for the polymeric nanoparticles in aqueous medium showed that the composition of the hydrophobic segment of amphiphilic block copolymer makes a significant influence on its physicochemical characteristics.     

Oxidative addition of MeI to cationic Rh(I) carbonyl complexes with pyridyl bis(carbene) ligands

A series of cationic Rh(I) carbonyl complexes of the form [Rh(CO)(L)]PF₆ (where L = 2,6-bis (alkylimidazol-2-ylidene)-pyridine; alkyl = Me (1a), Et (1b), CH₂Ph (1c)) have been prepared by the reactions of [Rh(CO)₂(OAc)]₂ with diimidazolium pyridine salts in the presence of NEt₃. The ν(CO) values for 1 are ca. 1982 cm⁻¹, indicating that the N-heterocyclic carbene ligands impart high electron density on the Rh(I) centres, despite the overall cationic charge. Each of the Rh(I) complexes reacts with MeI to form two isomeric Rh(III) methyl species, and a third unidentified species. Kinetic measurements on the MeI oxidative addition reactions give second-order rate constants (MeCN, 25 °C) of 0.0927, 0.0633 and 0.0277 M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for 1a, 1b and 1c, respectively. Comparison of these data with those for related Rh(I) carbonyl complexes shows that 1 have remarkably high nucleophilicity for cationic species.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel intramolecularly O,C,O-coordinated heteroleptic organostannylenes and their tungstenpentacarbonyl complexes

The syntheses are reported of the novel heteroleptic organostannylenes [2,6-(ROCH₂)₂C₆H₃]SnCl (1, R = Me; 2, R = t-Bu) and of their tungstenpentacarbonyl complexes [2,6-(ROCH₂)₂C₆H₃](X)SnW(CO)₅ (3, X = Cl, R = Me; 4, X = Cl, R = t-Bu; 5, X = H, R = Me). The compounds were characterized by means of elemental analyses, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopies, electrospray mass spectrometry and in case of 3 and 4 also by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. For the two latter compounds the substituents bound at the ether oxygen atom control the strength of intramolecular O → Sn coordination. Thus, the O–Sn distances amount to 2.391(5)/2.389(5) (3) and 2.464(3)/2.513(3) Å (4).     

Asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of α,β-unsaturated nitriles with nitrones catalyzed by chiral-at-metal rhodium or iridium complexes

The aqua complexes (S_M,R_C)-[(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M{(R)-Prophos}(H₂O)](SbF₆)₂ (M = Rh, Ir; (R)-Prophos = 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino propane) catalyze the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction (DCR) of nitrones with α,β-unsaturated nitriles with low-to-moderate enantioselectivity. The involved catalysts [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M{(R)-Prophos}(α,β-unsaturated nitrile)](SbF₆)₂, isolated as mixtures of the (S_M,R_C)- and (R_M,R_C)-diastereomers, have been fully characterized, and the molecular structure of the complexes (S_Rh,R_C)-[(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh{(R)-Prophos}(cis-2-pentenenitrile)](SbF₆)₂ and (S_Ir,R_C)-[(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir{(R)-Prophos}(acrylonitrile)](SbF₆)₂ has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The (R)-at-metal epimers isomerize to the (S)-at-metal counterparts. Diastereopure (S_M,R_C)-[(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M{(R)-Prophos}(α,β-unsaturated nitrile)](SbF₆)₂ complexes catalyze the above-mentioned DCR in a stoichiometric manner with up to 97% ee. The results make clear the influence of the metal configuration on the catalytic stereochemical outcome. The catalysts can be recycled without significant loss of either activity or selectivity.     

Iridium aminyl radical complexes as catalysts for the catalytic dehydrogenation of primary hydroxyl functions in natural products

The cationic tetra-coordinated 16 electron complex [Ir(trop₂dach)]⁺OTf⁻ (1) where (OTf⁻ = CF₃SO₃⁻) and the neutral amine amido complex [Ir(trop₂dach-1H)] (2) were isolated and structurally characterized. The NH function in 1 is easily deprotonated (pK_a^DMSO = 10.5) to yield the amino amido complex [Ir(trop₂dach-1H)] (2), which is deprotonated at pK_a^DMSO = 19.6 to the anionic di(amido) iridate [Ir(trop₂dach-2H)]⁻ (3); [(R,R)-top₂dach stands for the tetrachelating diamino diolefin ligand (R,R)-N,N′-bis(5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; (R,R)-top₂dach-1H and (R,R)-top₂dach-2H indicate the mono and double deprotonated form]. Complex 3 is easily oxidized by 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) to the neutral iridium aminyl radical complex [Ir(trop₂dach-2H)] (4). In combination with BQ as hydrogen acceptor and catalytic amounts of base, 4 serves as catalyst in the highly efficient dehydrogenation of functionalized primary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes, RCH₂OH + BQ → RCHO + H₂BQ (H₂BQ = catechol). Alcohols like geraniol and retinol are rapidly converted to geranial and retinal, while the conversion of sterically hindered alcohols like lavandulol is slower and the primary product, lavandulal, isomerizes to isolavandulal in a classical base-catalyzed reaction.