Iridium PCsp3P-type Complexes with a Hemilabile Anisole Tether

Abstract

A series of iridium PCsp3P complexes based on bis(2-diisopropylphosphinophenyl)-2-anisoylmethane (PCanisHP) is reported. (PCanisP)Ir(H)Cl was generated from the C–H activation of the backbone by [Ir(COD)Cl]2 (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), while the dihydride (PCanisP)Ir(H)2 was generated by hydride metathesis from (PCanisP)Ir(H)Cl. Both complexes are 18e octahedral complexes and water stable. The hemilability of the anisole tether was probed using CO and PMe3; multiple isomers, in which the anisole substituent was displaced, were generated, showing the flexibility of the ligand backbone. (PCanisP)Ir(H)2 showed deuterium incorporation in the hydride, backbone, and anisole positions upon moderate heating in C6D6. Both (PCanisP)Ir(H)Cl and (PCanisP)Ir(H)2 were precatalysts for transfer dehydrogenation of cyclooctane under moderate conditions.