Anionic Ir Research Articles

Electrocatalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of 1‐Octene with [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)(Cl)] and Water

AbstractElectrocatalytic hydrogenation of 1‐octene as non‐activated model substrate with neutral water as H‐donor is reported, using [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)(Cl)] (1) as the catalyst, to form octane with high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 96 % and a kobs of 87 s−1. Cyclic voltammetry with 1 revealed that two subsequent reductions trigger the elimination of Cl− and afford the highly reactive anionic Ir(I) hydride complex [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)]− (2), a previously merely proposed intermediate for which we now report first experimental data by mass spectrometry. In absence of alkene, the stoichiometric electrolysis of 1 in THF with water selectively affords the Ir(III) dihydride complex [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)2] (3) in 88 % FE from the reaction of 2 with H2O. Complex 3 then hydrogenates the alkene in classical fashion. The presented electro‐hydrogenation works with extremely high FE, because the iridium hydrides are water stable, which prevents H2 formation. Even in strongly alkaline conditions (Bu4NOH added), the electro‐hydrogenation of 1‐octene with 1 also proceeds cleanly (89 % FE), suggesting a highly robust process that may rely on H2O activation, reminiscent to transfer hydrogenation pathways, instead of classical H+ reduction. DFT calculations confirmed oxidative addition of H2O as a key step in this context.

Electrocatalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of 1-Octene with [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)(Cl)] and Water.

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of 1-octene as non-activated model substrate with neutral water as H-donor is reported, using [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)(Cl)] (1) as the catalyst, to form octane with high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 96 % and a kobs of 87 s-1. Cyclic voltammetry with 1 revealed that two subsequent reductions trigger the elimination of Cl- and afford the highly reactive anionic Ir(I) hydride complex [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)]- (2), a previously merely proposed intermediate for which we now report first experimental data by mass spectrometry. In absence of alkene, the stoichiometric electrolysis of 1 in THF with water selectively affords the Ir(III) dihydride complex [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)2] (3) in 88 % FE from the reaction of 2 with H2O. Complex 3 then hydrogenates the alkene in classical fashion. The presented electro-hydrogenation works with extremely high FE, because the iridium hydrides are water stable, which prevents H2 formation. Even in strongly alkaline conditions (Bu4NOH added), the electro-hydrogenation of 1-octene with 1 also proceeds cleanly (89 % FE), suggesting a highly robust process that may rely on H2O activation, reminiscent to transfer hydrogenation pathways, instead of classical H+ reduction. DFT calculations confirmed oxidative addition of H2O as a key step in this context.

An ALP-responsive, anionic iridium complex for specific recognition of osteosarcoma cells.

Poor cellular permeability greatly hampers the utilization of anionic Ir(III) complexes, though efficiently emissive and remarkably stable, in cell-based diagnosis. To overcome this barrier, we present the development of an alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-responsive, anionic, and aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active Ir(III) complex (Ir1) for specific recognition of osteosarcoma cells. Containing phosphate moieties, Ir1 exhibits a net -1 charge, enabling charge repulsion from the cell membrane and resulting in low cellular uptake and good biocompatibility in normal osteoblast cells. Upon ALP-mediated hydrolysis of phosphate groups, the resulting dephosphorylated product, Ir2, demonstrates a positive charge and increased lipophilicity, promoting cellular uptake and activating its AIE properties for specific recognition of osteosarcoma cells that express elevated levels of ALP. This study elucidates the role of ALP as an ideal trigger for enhancing the cellular permeability of phosphate ester-containing Ir(III) complexes, thus expanding the potential of anionic Ir(III) complexes for biomedical applications.

Ion Pairing of Cationic and Anionic Ir(III) Photosensitizers for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction at Lipid-Membrane Surfaces.

We synthesized an ion pair comprising cationic and anionic Ir(III) photosensitizers ([Ir1+][Ir2-]) for photocatalytic CO2 reduction and showed that the cationic component imparts stability, while the cyclometalating ligands in the anionic component ensure effective visible-light absorption. The triplet excited state of [Ir1+] is the key photoredox species in this system and is mainly generated through the transfer of triplet excitation energy from the anionic moiety due to Coulombic interactions and appropriate triplet energy alignment between the two ionic components. The positive photosensitization effect of ion pairing was demonstrated by photocatalytic CO2 reduction in cooperation with a Re(I) molecular catalyst incorporated into a vesicle membrane.

An anionic iridium(iii) complex as a visible-light absorbing photosensitizer.

In this work, a new anionic Ir(iii) complex (Ir2) was synthesized using coumarin 6 and orotate ligands, and its use as a photosensitizer in photochemical hydrogen (H2) generation was demonstrated. For comparison purposes, we also prepared a known anionic Ir(iii) complex (Ir1) bearing 2-phenylpyridine and orotate ligands, which was previously reported as an emitting material by another research group. The photophysical properties of complexes Ir1 and Ir2 were examined in several solvents including aqueous acetonitrile (CH3CN-H2O), which is frequently used in photocatalytic H2-generating experiments. Ir1 was found to be weakly emissive in CH3CN-H2O, which is probably due to the effect of hydrogen bonding between the orotate ligands and H2O molecules. In sharp contrast, Ir2 exhibited remarkable properties that include strong visible-light absorption (ε = 78 800 M-1 cm-1 at 462 nm), a high phosphorescence quantum yield (50%), and a long-lived excited state (15 μs), even in the same solvent. Actually, Ir2 functioned as a photosensitizer during visible-light-driven H2 generation using sodium ascorbate and a cobalt(iii) diglyoxime complex as the electron donor and water-reduction catalyst, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of the use of an anionic Ir(iii) sensitizer in a photoinduced electron-transfer reaction. The results of this study suggest that Ir2 can be applied to future photochemical H2-generating systems that are based on ion-paired photocatalysts.

1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of Low-Valent Rhodium and Iridium Complexes with Arylnitrile N-Oxides.

The reactions between low-valent Rh(I) and Ir(I) metal-carbonyl complexes and arylnitrile oxides possess the electronic and structural features of 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on these reactions, involving both cyclopentadienyl and carboranyl ligands on the metal carbonyl, explain the ease of the chemical processes and the stabilities of the resulting metallaisoxazolin-5-ones. The metal-carbonyl bond has partial double bond character according to the Wiberg index calculated through NBO analysis, and so the reaction can be considered a normal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition involving M═C bonds. The rates of formation of the metallacycloadducts are controlled by distortion energy, analogous to their organic counterparts. The superior ability of anionic Ir complexes to share their electron density and accommodate higher oxidation states explains their calculated higher reactivity toward cycloaddition, as compared to Rh analogues.

Negatively charged Ir(iii) cyclometalated complexes containing a chelating bis-tetrazolato ligand: synthesis, photophysics and the study of reactivity with electrophiles.

The bis-tetrazolate dianion [1,2 BTB](2-), which is the deprotonated form of 1,2 bis-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzene [1,2-H2BTB], is for the first time exploited as an ancillary N^N ligand for negatively charged [Ir(C^N)2(N^N)](-)-type complexes, where C^N is represented by cyclometalated 2-phenylpyridine (ppy) or 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine (F2ppy). The new Ir(iii) complexes [Ir(ppy)2(1,2 BTB)]- and [Ir(F2ppy)2(1,2 BTB)]- have been fully characterised and the analysis of the X-ray structure of [Ir(ppy)2(1,2 BTB)]- confirmed the coordination of the [1,2 BTB](2-) dianion in a bis chelated fashion through the N-atoms adjacent to each of the tetrazolic carbons. Both of the new anionic Ir(iii) complexes displayed phosphorescence in the visible region, with intense sky-blue (λmax = 460-490 nm) or aqua (λmax = 490-520 nm) emissions originating from [Ir(F2ppy)2(1,2 BTB)]- and [Ir(ppy)2(1,2 BTB)]-, respectively. In comparison with our very recent examples of anionic Ir(iii)tetrazolate cyclometalates, the new Ir(iii) tris chelate complexes [Ir(F2ppy)2(1,2 BTB)]- and [Ir(ppy)2(1,2 BTB)]-, display an improved robustness, allowing the study of their reactivity toward the addition of electrophiles such as H(+) and CH3(+). In all cases, the electrophilic attacks occurred at the coordinated tetrazolate rings, involving the reversible - by a protonation deprotonation mechanism - or permanent - upon addition of a methyl moiety - switching of their global net charge from negative to positive and, in particular, the concomitant variation of their photoluminescence output. The combination of the anionic complexes [Ir(F2ppy)2(1,2 BTB)]- or [Ir(ppy)2(1,2 BTB)]- with a deep red emitting (λmax = 686 nm) cationic Ir(iii) tetrazole complex such as [IrTPYZ-Me]+, where TPYZ-Me is 2-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyrazine, gave rise to two fully Ir(iii)-based soft salts capable of displaying additive and O2-sensitive emission colours, with an almost pure white light obtained by the appropriate choice of the ionic components.

Fully Ir(iii) tetrazolate soft salts: the road to white-emitting ion pairs

The first examples of anionic Ir(iii) bis-tetrazolate complexes and their combination with a cationic Ir(iii)tetrazole derivative forming "fully tetrazolate" Ir(iii) based soft salts as O2-sensitive white emitters are described herein.

Resisting B–H oxidative addition: The divergent reactivity of the o-carborane and carba-closo-dodecaborate ligand substituents

Here, we report a study of two isoelectronic Ir(I) complexes supported by different carboranyl phosphines, bearing either o-carborane or carba-closo-dodecaborate ligand substituents. The neutral Ir(I) complex containing the o-carboranyl phosphine ligand is not isolable and undergoes spontaneous B–H cyclometalation to afford an Ir(III) hydride. In contrast, the anionic Ir(I) complex supported by a phosphine with a carba-closo-dodecaborate ligand R-group is stable towards B–H activation. This divergent reactivity has important implications for the design of carborane containing ligands for catalysis. Both compounds are fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, HRMS spectrometry, and single crystal x-ray diffraction studies.

Cationic Iridium Complexes Containing Anionic Iridium Counterions Supported by Redox-Active N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

The first cationic iridium complex supported by two bulky, ferrocenylated N-heterocyclic carbenes, [(1)2Ir(COD)]+[Cl]− ([2]+[Cl]−; 1 = 1-ferrocenylmethyl-3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene, Fc-NHC; COD = cis,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene), was synthesized and characterized. Treatment of the aforementioned complex with a mixture of [N(nBu)4]+[Cl]− and [Ir(COD)(Cl)]2 afforded [(1)2Ir(COD)]+[Ir(COD)(Cl)2]− ([2]+[Ir(COD)Cl2]−), which featured cationic as well as anionic Ir centers. Electrochemical analysis of [2]+[Ir(COD)Cl2]− revealed that the complex displayed two reversible (iron- and iridium-centered) and two irreversible (iridium-centered) redox processes, which were assigned to the cationic and anionic components, respectively. Stirring [2]+[Ir(COD)Cl2]− under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide generated the corresponding Ir carbonyl complex [(1)2Ir(CO)2]+[Ir(CO)2(Cl)2]− ([3]+[Ir(CO)2Cl2]−). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements of the aforementioned complexes containing [(1)2Ir(COD)]+ showed that the iron-centered oxid...

Developing Synthetic Approaches with Non‐Innocent Metalloligands: Easy Access to IrI/Pd0 and IrI/Pd0/IrI Cores

Guilty as charged is the verdict for anionic Ir complex [Ir(bpa−2 H)(cod)]− in its reactions with PdII compounds. The net transfer of two electrons from the Ir complex to Pd allows easy preparation of di- and trinuclear π-imine-coordinated Pd0 compounds such as [{Ir(PyCH2NCHPy)(cod)}2Pd] (see picture; C white, Ir red, N blue, Pd yellow). bpa−2 H: doubly deprotonated form of N,N-bis(2-picolyl)amine (bpa); cod: 1,5-cyclooctadiene.

Study of Ion-Paired Iridium Complexes (Soft Salts) and Their Application in Organic Light Emitting Diodes

Three Ir-based materials were synthesized through metathesis reaction between halide and alkali metal salts of two cationic and three anionic Ir complexes, respectively. The resulting "soft salt" complexes are composed of an organometallic cation and an organometallic anion. The electrochemical and photophysical characterization of these compounds is reported. The redox potentials of the soft salts are shown to be determined by the lowest energy potentials of the two ions. Energy transfer between the ions in solution is observed, and found to take place at diffusion controlled rates. Organic LEDs were prepared with each of the three soft salts, using the simple structure of anode/PVK/soft salt/BCP/cathode. The soft salts yielded maximal external quantum efficiencies (EQE) ranging from 0.2% to 4.7%. The study suggests that the internal energy alignment between two ions in the soft salts is responsible for the widely disparate results. To achieve a high EQE, it is critical to have the HOMO and LUMO values of one of the ions fall between those of the other ion, that is, one ion has both the lowest oxidation potential and the least negative reduction potential.

Iridium(I) and Iridium(III) Complexes Supported by a Diphenolate Imidazolyl-Carbene Ligand

Deprotonation of 1,3-di(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)imidazolium chloride (1a) followed by reaction with chloro-1,5-cyclooctadiene Ir(I) dimer affords the anionic Ir(I) complex [K][{OCO}Ir(cod)] (2: OCO = 1,3-di(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)imidazolyl; cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), the first Ir complex stabilized by a diphenolate imidazolyl-carbene ligand. In the solid state 2 exhibits square-planar geometry, with only one of the phenoxides bound to the metal center. Oxidation of 2 with 2 equiv of [FeCp2][PF6] generates the Ir(III) complex [{OCO}Ir(cod)(MeCN)][PF6] (3). Reaction of 3 with H2 results in the liberation of cyclooctane and a species capable of catalyzing the hydrogenation of cyclohexene to cyclohexane. Displacement of cyclooctadiene from 3 can be achieved by heating in acetonitrile to form [{OCO}Ir(MeCN)3][PF6] (4) or by reaction with either PMe3 or PCy3 to generate [{OCO}Ir(PMe3)3][PF6] (5) or [{OCO}Ir(PCy3)2(MeCN)][PF6] (6), respectively. 6 reacts with CO in acetonitrile to give an equilibrium...

ChemInform Abstract: Characterization and Recycle Experiments on the Dicarbonyl Triiodide Iridium(II) Intermediate in the Carbonylation of Ethanol to Propionic Acid.

AbstractThe anionic Ir(II) species stabilized as its isochinoline salt (I) is isolated as an intermediate on the carbonylation of ethanol using IrCl3·3 H2O as a catalyst precursor with HI as a promoter in the presence of isochinoline (55 atm, 200 °C).