Synthesis and Reactivity of Iridacycles Containing the Tp(Me2)Ir Moiety

The Tp(Me2)Ir moiety has proven to easily promote the formal oxidative addition reactions of unsaturated molecules, with or without concomitant formation of carbon-carbon bonds, to form metallacyclic species. The ring sizes may range between having 5- and 7 members, and these metallacycles exhibit a rich reactivity. Some of these metallacycles represent stable models of intermediates proposed in catalytic processes such as alkyne cyclotrimerization or olefin/alkyne coupling. The stability of these Tp(Me2)Ir(III) species allows the mechanistic investigation of the reactions observed, by way of the isolation and/or trapping of intermediates.