Synthesis and Characterization of PBP Pincer Iridium Complexes and Their Application in Alkane Transfer Dehydrogenation

Abstract

This work reports on the synthesis of several new complexes of Ir supported by a diarylboryl/bis(phosphine) PBP pincer ligand. The previously reported complexes (PBP)Ir(Ph)(Cl) (1) and (PBP)Ir(H)(Cl) (2) were converted to the new complexes (PBP)IrH4 (3) and (PBP)Ir(Ph)(H) (4). Complexes 3 and 4 serve similarly as precatalysts for transfer dehydrogenation of cyclooctane. The turnover numbers achieved were relatively modest but were increased (to 220 at 200 °C) when 1-hexene was used as a sacrificial hydrogen acceptor vs tert-butylethylene. The dicarbonyl complex (PBP)Ir(CO)2 (6) was also synthesized, by the reaction of CO with either 3 or 4. Intermediates (PBPhP)Ir(H)(CO)2 (5) and (PBP)IrH2(CO) (7) were observed in these reactions. Complex 7 could be obtained in pure form by comproportionation of 3 and 6. Solid-state structures of 3 and 6 were determined by X-ray crystallography.