Tuning of spin crossover equilibrium in catecholatoiron(III) complexes by supporting ligands

Introduction of electron-withdrawing groups on co-ligands effectively raises the spin crossover temperature of catecholatoiron(III) complexes and induces a significant amount of the low spin species in solution even at around room temperature.     

Reactions of tetrabromocatecholatomanganese(III) complexes with dioxygen

New five- and six-coordinate complexes containing the [Mn(III)(Br4cat)2](-) core (Br4cat(2-) = tetrabromo-1,2-catecholate) have been prepared. Homoleptic [Mn(III)(Br4cat)3](3-) reacts rapidly with O2 to produce tetrabromo-1,2-benzoquinone (Br4bq). The [Mn(III)(Br4cat)2](-) fragment is a robust catalytic platform for the aerobic conversion of catechols to quinones. The oxidase activity apparently derives from the coupling of metal- and ligand-centered redox events.     

On the structure and spin states of Fe(III)-EDDHA complexes

DFT methods are suitable for predicting both the geometries and spin states of EDDHA-Fe(III) complexes. Thus, extensive DFT computational studies have shown that the racemic-Fe(III) EDDHA complex is more stable than the meso isomer, regardless of the spin state of the central iron atom. A comparison of the energy values obtained for the complexes under study has also shown that high-spin (S = 5/2) complexes are more stable than low-spin (S = 1/2) ones. These computational results matched the experimental results of the magnetic susceptibility values of both isomers. In both cases, their behavior has been fitted as being due to isolated high-spin Fe(III) in a distorted octahedral environment. The study of the correlation diagram also confirms the high-spin iron in complex 2b. The geometry optimization of these complexes performed with the standard 3-21G* basis set for hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen and the Hay-Wadt small-core effective core potential (ECP) including a double-xi valence basis set for iron, followed by single-point energy refinement with the 6-31G* basis set, is suitable for predicting both the geometries and the spin-states of EDDHA-Fe(III) complexes. The presence of a high-spin iron in Fe(III)-EDDHA complexes could be the key to understanding their lack of reactivity in electron-transfer processes, either chemically or electrochemically induced, and their resistance to photodegradation.     

Synthesis, characterization and dioxygen reactivity of copper(I) complexes with glycoligands

A new family of copper(I) complexes with "glycoligands" containing a central saccharide scaffold, with 2-picolyl ether groups or 2-picolylamine or N-imidazolylamine groups, has been prepared and characterized. For this purpose, the following tetradentate ligands have been synthesized: methyl 2,3-di-O-(2-picolyl)-alpha-D-lyxofuranoside (L1), 1,5-anhydro-2-deoxy-3,4-di-O-(2-picolyl)-d-galactitol (L2), 5-(amino-N-(2-salicyl))-5-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-(2-picolyl)-alpha-D-xylofuranose (L3), and 5-(amino-N-(2-salicyl))-5-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-(methylimidazol-2-yl)-alpha-D-xylofuranose (L4). The ligands and the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies, ESI mass spectrometry, and cyclic voltammetry. Collaterally with the experimental work, HF-DFT(B3LYP/6-31G*) computations were performed to obtain additional structural information. The Cu(I) complexes are found to be pentacoordinated. The redox properties and the O2-reactivity of the Cu(I)Ln complexes have been studied. Reactions of Cu(I) complexes with dioxygen in ethanol yield stable Cu(II) complexes as confirmed by UV-visible spectrophotometry and EPR spectroscopy.     

Dinuclear Fe(III) complexes with spin crossover

Abstract  A series of dinuclear Fe(III) complexes was synthesized in which the Schiff-base blocking ligand L⁵ coordinates each of the centers which are linked by a bidentate, bipyridine-type ligand. For these systems, [L⁵Fe^III{bridge}Fe^IIIL⁵](BPh₄)₂, thermally induced spin crossover is observed. The corollary of the systems is that the spin crossover interferes with the magnetic exchange interaction. The overlap of the energy bands of the LL and HH reference states (L, low-spin; H, high-spin) causes the exchange interaction to act against the spin crossover (leading to incompleteness or gradual behavior). Graphical abstract        

Synthesis, characterization, and dioxygen reactivity of tetracarboxylate-bridged Diiron(II) complexes with coordinated substrates

The synthesis and characterization of [Fe(2)(micro-O(2)CAr(Tol))(4)L(2)] complexes, where L is benzylamine or 4-methoxybenzylamine (BA(p)()(-)(OMe)), are described. The reaction of the latter diiron(II) complex with dioxygen at -78 degrees C affords a metastable mixed-valent Fe(II)Fe(III) green intermediate. When O(2) is introduced at ambient temperature, N-dealkyation occurs to yield anisaldehyde, eliminating N-oxidation as a viable pathway for the reaction. Use of [Fe(2)(micro-O(2)CAr(T)(omicron)(l))(4)(alpha-d(1)-BA(p)()(-)(OMe))(2)] allowed a deuterium kinetic isotope of approximately 3 to be determined.     

Formation and reactivity of Ir(III) hydroxycarbonyl complexes

Kinetic studies show that the reaction of [TpIr(CO)2] (1, Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate) with water to give [TpIr(CO2H)(CO)H] (2) is second order (k = 1.65 x 10(-4) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1), 25 degrees C, MeCN) with activation parameters DeltaH++= 46+/-2 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS++ = -162+/-5 J K(-1) mol(-1). A kinetic isotope effect of k(H2O)/k(D2O) = 1.40 at 20 degrees C indicates that O-H/D bond cleavage is involved in the rate-determining step. Despite being more electron rich than 1, [Tp*Ir(CO)2] (1*, Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) reacts rapidly with adventitious water to give [Tp*Ir(CO2H)(CO)H] (2*). A proposed mechanism consistent with the relative reactivity of 1 and 1* involves initial protonation of Ir(I) followed by nucleophilic attack on a carbonyl ligand. An X-ray crystal structure of 2* shows dimer formation via pairwise H-bonding interactions of hydroxycarbonyl ligands (r(O...O) 2.65 A). Complex 2* is thermally stable but (like 2) is amphoteric, undergoing dehydroxylation with acid to give [Tp*Ir(CO)2H]+ (3*) and decarboxylation with OH- to give [TpIr(CO)H2] (4*). Complex 2 undergoes thermal decarboxylation above ca. 50 degrees C to give [TpIr(CO)H2] (4) in a first-order process with activation parameters DeltaH++ = 115+/-4 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS++ = 60+/-10 J K(-1) mol(-1).     

Heterobimetallic activation of dioxygen: characterization and reactivity of novel Cu(I)-Ge(II) complexes

Reaction of the known germylene Ge[N(SiMe3)2]2 and a new heterocyclic variant Ge[(NMes)2(CH)2] with [L(Me2)Cu]2 (L(Me2) = the beta-diketiminate derived from 2-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)amino-4-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imino-2-pentene) yielded novel Cu(I)-Ge(II) complexes L(Me2)Cu-Ge[(NMes)2(CH)2] (1a) and L(Me2)Cu-Ge[N(SiMe3)2]2 (1b), which were characterized by spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The lability of the Cu(I)-Ge(II) bond in 1a and b was probed by studies of their reactivity with benzil, PPh3, and a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC). Notably, both complexes are cleaved rapidly by PPh3 and the NHC to yield stable Cu(I) adducts (characterized by X-ray diffraction) and the free germylene. In addition, the complexes are highly reactive with O2 and exhibit chemistry which depends on the bound germylene. Thus, oxygenation of 1a results in scission and formation of thermally unstable L(Me2)CuO2, which subsequently decays to [(L(Me2)Cu)2(mu-O)2], while 1b yields L(Me2)Cu(mu-O)2Ge[N(SiMe3)2]2, a novel heterobimetallic intermediate having a [Cu(III)(mu-O)2Ge(IV)]3+ core. The isolation of the latter species by direct oxygenation of a Cu(I)-Ge(II) precursor represents a new route to heterobimetallic oxidants comprising copper.     

The performance of nonhybrid density functionals for calculating the structures and spin states of Fe(II) and Fe(III) complexes

The local density approximation and a range of nonhybrid gradient corrected density functionals (PW91, BLYP, PBE, revPBE, RPBE) have been assessed with respect to the prediction of geometries and spin-state energy preferences for a range of homoleptic Fe(II)L6 and Fe(III)L6 complexes, where L = Cl-, CN-, NH3, pyridine, imidazole, H2O, O=CH2 and tetrahydrofuran. While the qualitative spin-state energies from in vacuo structure optimizations are reasonable the geometries are relatively poorly treated, especially for [FeCl6]3-/4-. Structural results for all the complexes are significantly improved by including environmental effects. The best compromise between structural and spin-state predictive accuracy was obtained for the RPBE functional in combination with the COSMO solvation approach. This approach systematically overestimates the energetic preference for a low spin state, which is partly due to the well-known effect of the lack of exact exchange in nonhybrid functionals and partly due to the larger solvation stabilization of low-spin complexes that have shorter bond lengths and thus smaller molecular volumes than their high-spin partners. Calculations on low spin [Fe(bipy)3]2+ and [Fe(phen)3]2+ and their ortho methyl substituted analogs, which are high spin at room temperature but cross over to low spin at low temperature, suggest the RPBE/COSMO combination generates low spin states which are too stable by approximately 13 kcal mol(-1).     

Copper(I) and copper(II) complexes possessing cross-linked imidazole-phenol ligands: structures and dioxygen reactivity

Catalytic reduction of O2 to H2O, and coupling to membrane proton translocation, occurs at the heterobinuclear heme a3-CuB active site of cytochrome c oxidase. One of the CuB ligated histidines is cross-linked to a neighboring tyrosine (C-N bond; tyrosine C6 and histidine epsilon-nitrogen), and the protic residue of this cross-linked His-Tyr moiety is proposed to participate as both an electron and a proton donor in the catalytic dioxygen reduction event. To provide insight into the chemistry of such a moiety, we have synthesized and characterized tetra- and tridentate pyridylalkylamine chelate ligands {LN4OR and LN3OR (R = H or Me)}, which include an imidazole-phenol (or anisole) cross-link and their copper(I/II) complexes. [CuI(LN4OH)]B(C6F5)4 (1) reacts with dioxygen at -80 degrees C in THF, forming an unstable trans-mu-1,2-peroxodicopper(II)complex, which subsequently converts to a dimeric copper(II)-phenolate complex [{Cu(LN4O-)}2](B(C6F5)4)2 (5a). The close analogue [CuI(LN4OMe)]B(C6F5)4 (3) binds dioxygen reversibly at -80 degrees C in tetrahydrofuran. Stopped-flow kinetics of the reaction [CuI(LN3OH)]ClO4 (2) with O2 in CH2Cl2 indicate a steady formation of the purple dimeric product [{Cu(LN3O-)}2](ClO4)2 (5b), which has been analyzed in the temperature range from -40 to +20 degrees C, DeltaH = -9.6 (6) kJ mol-1, DeltaS = -168 (2) J mol-1 K-1 (k(-40 degrees C) = 1.05(4) x 106 and k(+20 degrees C) = 4.6(2) x 105 M-2 s-1). The X-ray crystal structures of 1, [CuII(LN3OH)(MeOH)(OClO3-)](ClO4) (4), 5a, and 5b are reported.     

Excited states in the photochemistry of chromium(III) complexes

Experimental data for chromium(III) complex ions on the spectroscopic properties, photoreactions, and intermolecular energy transfer are analyzed in terms of the primary photophysical and photochemical processes. It is suggested that the lowest excited quartet state,⁴T_2g inO _h symmetry, is the immediate precursor to photoaquation and that the lowest doublet state,²E, is substitution inert except via the⁴ T _2g state reached by back intersystem crossing.

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Zusammenfassung Experimentelle Daten von Chrom-(III)-Komplex-Ionen in bezug auf spektroskopische Eigenschaften, Photoreaktionen und intermolekularen Energieübertragung wurden mit dem Begriffssystem der photophysikalischen und photochemischen Primärprozesse analysiert. Und zwar wird vorgeschlagen, daß der tiefste angeregte Quartettzustand,⁴ T _2g inO _h -Symmetrie, der unmittelbare Vorläufer der Photoaquatisierung ist und daß der tiefste Doublettzustand,²E, inert gegenüber Substitutionen ist, außer über den⁴ T _2g Zustand, wenn er durch Re-intersystem crossing erreicht wird.

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Dedicated to the memory of Professor Hans-Ludwig Schläfer.     

Facile ring opening of iron(III) and iron(II) complexes of meso-amino-octaethylporphyrin by dioxygen

Pyridine solutions of ClFe(III)(meso-NH(2)-OEP) undergo oxidative ring opening when exposed to dioxygen. The high-spin iron(III) complex, ClFe(III)(meso-NH(2)-OEP), has been isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, it has a five-coordinate structure typical for high-spin (S = 5/2) iron(III) complex. In chloroform-d solution, ClFe(III)(meso-NH(2)-OEP) displays an (1)H NMR spectrum characteristic of a high-spin, five-coordinate complex and is unreactive toward dioxygen. However, in pyridine-d(5) solution a temperature-dependent equilibrium exists between the high-spin (S = 5/2), six-coordinate complex, [(py)ClFe(III)(meso-NH(2)-OEP)], and the six-coordinate, low spin (S = 1/2 with the less common (d(xz)d(yz))(4)(d(xy))(1) ground state)) complex, [(py)(2)Fe(III)(meso-NH(2)-OEP)](+). Such pyridine solutions are air-sensitive, and the remarkable degradation has been monitored by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. These studies reveal a stepwise conversion of ClFe(III)(meso-NH(2)-OEP) into an open-chain tetrapyrrole complex in which the original amino group and the attached meso carbon atom have been converted into a nitrile group. Additional oxidation at an adjacent meso carbon occurs to produce a ligand that binds iron by three pyrrole nitrogen atoms and the oxygen atom introduced at a meso carbon. This open-chain tetrapyrrole complex itself is sensitive to attack by dioxygen and is converted into a tripyrrole complex that is stable to further oxidation and has been isolated. The process of oxidation of the Fe(III) complex, ClFe(III)(meso-NH(2)-OEP), is compared with that of the iron(II) complex, (py)(2)Fe(II)(meso-NH(2)-OEP); both converge to form identical products.     

Heterobimetallic dioxygen activation: synthesis and reactivity of mixed Cu-Pd and Cu-Pt bis(mu-oxo) complexes

Heterobimetallic CuPd and CuPt bis(mu-oxo) complexes have been prepared by the reaction of (PPh3)2MO2 (M=Pd, Pt) with LCu(I) precursors (L=beta-diketiminate and di- and triamine ligands) and characterized by low-temperature UV-vis, resonance Raman, and 1H and 31P[1H] NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with DFT calculations. The complexes decompose upon warming to yield OPPh3, and in one case this was shown to occur by an intramolecular process through crossover experiments using double-labeling (oxo and phosphine). The reactivity of one of the complexes, LMe2Cu(mu-O)2Pt(PPh3)2 (LMe2 = beta-diketiminate), with a variety of reagents including CO2, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenolate, [NH4][PF6], and dihydroanthracene, was compared to that of homometallic Pt2 and Cu2 counterparts. Unlike typical [Cu2(mu-O)2]2+ cores which have electrophilic oxo groups, the oxo groups in the [Cu(mu-O)2Pt]+ core behave as bases and nucleophiles, similar to previously described Pt2 compounds. In addition, however, the [Cu(mu-O)2Pt]+ core is capable of oxidatively coupling 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenolate. Theoretical evaluation of the electron affinities, basicities, and H-atom transfer kinetics and thermodynamics of the Cu2 and CuM (M=Pd, Pt) cores showed that the latter are more basic and form stronger O-H bonds.     

Magnetic anisotropy of two trinuclear and tetranuclear Cr(III)Ni(II) cyanide-bridged complexes with spin ground states S = 4 and 5

The trinuclear and the tetranuclear complexes [[iPrtacnCr(CN)3]2[Ni(cyclam)]](NO3)2.5H2O 1 (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, iPrtacn = 1,4,7-tris-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) and [[iPrtacnCr(CN)3Ni(Me2bpy)2]2](ClO4)4.2CH3CN 2 (Me2bpy = 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-bipyridine) were synthesized by reacting (iPrtacn)Cr(CN)3 with [Ni(cyclam)](NO3)2 and [Ni(Me2bpy)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2, respectively. The crystallographic structure of the two compounds was solved. The molecular structure of complex 1 consists of a linear Cr-Ni-Cr arrangement with a central Ni(cyclam) unit surrounded by two Cr(iPrtacn)(CN)3 molecules through bridging cyanides. Each peripheral chromium complex has two pending CN ligands. Complex 2 has a square planar arrangement with the metal ions occupying the vertices of the square. Each Cr(iPrtacn)(CN)3 molecule has two bridging and one non-bridging cyanide ligands. The magnetic properties of the two complexes were investigated by susceptibility vs. temperature and magnetization vs. field studies. As expected from the orthogonality of the magnetic orbitals between Cr(III) (t2g3) and Ni(II) (e(g)2) metal ions, a ferromagnetic exchange interaction occurs leading to a spin ground states S = 4 and 5 for 1 and 2, respectively. The magnetization vs. field studies at T = 2, 3 and 4 K showed the presence of a magnetic anisotropy within the ground spin states leading to zero-field splitting parameters obtained by fitting the data D4 = 0.36 cm(-1) and D5 = 0.19 cm(-1) (the indices 4 and 5 refer to the ground states of complexes 1 and 2, respectively). In order to quantify precisely the magnitude of the axial (D) and the rhombic (E) anisotropy parameters, High-field high frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-HFEPR) experiments were carried out. The best simulation of the experimental spectra (at 190 and 285 GHz) gave the following parameters for 1: D4 = 0.312 cm(-1), E4/D4 = 0.01, g4x = 2.003, g4y = 2.017 and g4z = 2.015. For complex 2 two sets of parameters could be extracted from the EPR spectra because a doubling of the resonances were observed and assigned to the presence of complexes with slightly different structures at low temperature: D5 = 0.154 (0.13) cm(-1), E5/D5 = 0.31 (0.31) cm(-1), g4x = 2.04 (2.05), g4y = 2.05 (2.05) and g4z = 2.03 (2.02). The knowledge of the magnetic anisotropy parameters of the mononuclear Cr(iPrtacn)(CN)3, Ni(cyclam)(NCS)2 and Ni(bpy)2(NCS)2 complexes by combining HF-HFEPR studies and calculation using a software based on the angular overlap model (AOM) allowed to determine the orientation of the local D tensors of the metal ions forming the polynuclear complexes. We, subsequently, show that the anisotropy parameters of the polynuclear complexes computed from the projection of the local tensors are in excellent agreement with the experimental ones extracted from the EPR experiments.     

Characterization and dioxygen reactivity of a new series of coordinatively unsaturated thiolate-ligated manganese(II) complexes

The synthesis, structural, and spectroscopic characterization of four new coordinatively unsaturated mononuclear thiolate-ligated manganese(II) complexes ([Mn(II)(S(Me2)N(4)(6-Me-DPEN))](BF(4)) (1), [Mn(II)(S(Me2)N(4)(6-Me-DPPN))](BPh(4))·MeCN (3), [Mn(II)(S(Me2)N(4)(2-QuinoPN))](PF(6))·MeCN·Et(2)O (4), and [Mn(II)(S(Me2)N(4)(6-H-DPEN)(MeOH)](BPh(4)) (5)) is described, along with their magnetic, redox, and reactivity properties. These complexes are structurally related to recently reported [Mn(II)(S(Me2)N(4)(2-QuinoEN))](PF(6)) (2) (Coggins, M. K.; Kovacs, J. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2011, 133, 12470). Dioxygen addition to complexes 1-5 is shown to result in the formation of five new rare examples of Mn(III) dimers containing a single, unsupported oxo bridge: [Mn(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(6-Me-DPEN)](2)-(μ-O)(BF(4))(2)·2MeOH (6), [Mn(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(QuinoEN)](2)-(μ-O)(PF(6))(2)·Et(2)O (7), [Mn(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(6-Me-DPPN)](2)-(μ-O)(BPh(4))(2) (8), [Mn(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(QuinoPN)](2)-(μ-O)(BPh(4))(2) (9), and [Mn(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(6-H-DPEN)](2)-(μ-O)(PF(6))(2)·2MeCN (10). Labeling studies show that the oxo atom is derived from (18)O(2). Ligand modifications, involving either the insertion of a methylene into the backbone or the placement of an ortho substituent on the N-heterocyclic amine, are shown to noticeably modulate the magnetic and reactivity properties. Fits to solid-state magnetic susceptibility data show that the Mn(III) ions of μ-oxo dimers 6-10 are moderately antiferromagnetically coupled, with coupling constants (2J) that fall within the expected range. Metastable intermediates, which ultimately convert to μ-oxo bridged 6 and 7, are observed in low-temperature reactions between 1 and 2 and dioxygen. Complexes 3-5, on the other hand, do not form observable intermediates, thus illustrating the effect that relatively minor ligand modifications have upon the stability of metastable dioxygen-derived species.     

Synthesis and reactivity of substituted cyclopentadienyl rhodium(I) and (III) complexes

New cyclopentadienyl derivatives of rhodium COD complexes [Cp*=C₅H₄COOCH₂CHCH₂ (1); C₅H₄CH₂CH₂CHCH₂ (2); C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄ (3)] and carbonyl complex [Cp*=C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄ (4)] were synthesized from [RhCl(COD)]₂ and [RhCl(CO)₂]₂. 1, 2 and 3 oxidized by iodine gave iodine bridged dimers 5, 6 and 7, respectively. Triphenyl phosphine, carbon monoxide and carbon disulfide molecules broke down the iodine bridged structure easily and produced monomer products Cp*RhI₂L [Cp*=C₅H₄COOCH₂CHCH₂, L=CS₂ (8); L=PPh₃ (9). Cp*=C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄, L=CO (10)]. All of these new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, IR, UV-Vis and mass spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 1 was solved in the triclinic space group with one molecule in the unit cell, the dimensions of which are a=7.082(9) Å, b=8.392(3) Å, c=13.889(5) Å, α=101.19(3)°, β=99.06(6)°, γ=105.11(5)°, and V=763(1) ų. The crystal structure of 3 was solved in the orthorhombic space group Pn21a with four molecules in the unit cell, the dimensions of which are a=9.748(3) Å, b=16.054(5) Å, and V=2319(1) ų. Least squares refinement leads to values for the conventional R₁ of 0.0251 for 1 and 0.0558 for 3, respectively. Compared to that in 1, a shorter metal-ligand bond length in 3 was observed and this is attributed to the rich electron density on Rh(I) metal center piled up by the C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄ ligand.     

Preparation and reactivity of iridium(III) hydride complexes with pyrazole and imidazole ligands

Pyrazole IrHCl₂(HRpz)P₂ [P = PPh₃, PⁱPr₃; R = H, 3-Me], bis(pyrazole) [IrHCl(HRpz)₂(PPh₃)₂]BPh₄ and imidazole IrHCl₂(HIm)(PPh₃)₂ derivatives were prepared by allowing the IrHCl₂(PPh₃)₃ complex to react with the appropriate azole in refluxing 1,2-dichloroethane. Nitrile IrHCl₂(CH₃CN)(PPh₃)₂ and 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) [IrHCl(bpy)(PPh₃)₂]BPh₄ derivatives were also prepared using IrHCl₂(PPh₃)₃ as a precursor. The complexes were characterised spectroscopically (IR and NMR) and a geometry in solution was also established. Protonation with Brønsted acid of pyrazole IrHCl₂(Hpz)(PPh₃)₂ and imidazole IrHCl₂(HIm)(PPh₃)₂ complexes proceeded with the loss of the azole ligands and the formation of the unstable IrHCl₂(PPh₃)₂ derivative. Vinyl IrCl₂{CHC(H)R1}(HRpz)P₂ and IrCl₂{CHC(H)R1}(HIm)P₂ (R1 = Ph, p-tolyl, COOCH₃; P = PPh₃, PⁱPr₃) complexes were prepared by allowing hydride-pyrazole IrHCl₂(HRpz)P₂ and hydride-imidazole IrHCl₂(HIm)P₂ to react with an excess of terminal alkyne in 1,2-dichloroethane. The complexes were characterised spectroscopically and by the X-ray crystal structure determination of the IrCl₂{CHC(H)Ph}(Hpz)(PPh₃)₂ derivative.