Activation of C-H bonds in saturated hydrocarbons. The catalytic functionalisation of cycloöctane by means of some soluble iridium and ruthenium polyhydride systems

Homogeneous catalytic dehydrogenation of cycloöctane into cycloöctene has been effected by means of a variety of iridium and ruthenium polyhydrides, at 150°C, in the presence of an olefin as the hydrogen acceptor; best results (45–70 catalytic turnovers) have been achieved with (iPr₃P)₂IrH₅, ($\text{p}$-F-C₆H₄)₃P]₂IrH₅ and ($\text{p}$-F-C₆H₄)₃P]₃RuH₄.