Binuclear [(cod)(Cl)Ir(bpi)Ir(cod)]+ for Catalytic Water Oxidation

The binuclear iridium complex [(cod)(Cl)Ir(bpi)Ir(cod)]PF6(bpi = (pyridin-2-ylmethyl)(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amine; cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) reveals a noteworthy asymmetric binuclear coordination geometry, wherein the bpi ligand acts as a heteroditopic ligand and has an unusual pi-coordinated imine moiety. This species is an effective precatalyst for water oxidation. After a short incubation time the catalyst reveals a turnover frequency of 3400 mol mol(-1) s(-1) with an overall turnover number > 1000.