Aryl and Benzyl C–H Activation of N-Substituted PNP Ligands

Abstract

The synthesis of the N-aryl-substituted PNP pro-ligands H(PNnaphP) (N-di(2-diisopropylphosphine-4-methylphenyl)naphthylamine) and H(PNtolP) (N-di(2-diisopropylphosphine-4-methylphenyl)-o-tolylamine) is reported. The corresponding iridium(III) complexes, [(PNnaphP)Ir(H)Cl], [(o-methyl-PNtolP)Ir(H)Cl], [(o-aryl-PNtolP)Ir(H)Cl], [(PNnaphP)Ir(H)2], [(o-methyl-PNtolP)Ir(H)2], and [(o-aryl-PNtolP)Ir(H)2], were also synthesized and structurally characterized, along with reaction intermediates, demonstrating various ligand coordination modes.