syn‐Tri‐μ‐chlorido‐bis{[(R,R)/(S,S)‐2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐biphenyl]hydridoiridium(III)} tetrafluoridoborate dichloromethane disolvate

In the structure of the title compound, Ir₂Cl₃H₂(C₃₆H₂₈P₂)₂]BF₄·2CH₂Cl₂, the bimetallic cation features a confacial bioctahedral structure that is held together by three bridging chloride ions and is very close to C₂ symmetric. The hydrides are in a syn orientation (trans to the same halide bridge), and the chelating bis(phosphine) atropisomers display a racemic (R,R)/(S,S) configuration. Because of the high trans‐bond‐weakening influence of the hydride ligands, the Ir—Cl bonds trans to Ir—H 2.5262 (7) and 2.5365 (7) Å] are significantly longer than those opposite the Ir—P linkages 2.4287 (7)–2.4672 (8) Å]. The Ir—P distances vary between 2.2464 (9) and 2.2565 (8) Å. This study illustrates the usefulness of sterically demanding biaryl‐based P₂ ligands in the synthesis of halide‐bridged Ir₂ complexes, which are valuable precursors of versatile catalysts for homogeneous C=O hydrogenation.