Alkane Dehydrogenation by C-H Activation at Iridium(III)

Stoichiometric alkane dehydrogenation utilizing an Ir-III pincer complex, ((dm)Phebox)Ir(OAc)(2)(OH2) (1a), has been described. The reaction between la and octane resulted in quantitative formation of ((dm)Phebox)Ir(OAc)(H) (3a) and octene. At early reaction times 1-octene is the major product, indicative of terminal C-H activation by la. In contrast to prior reports of alkane dehydrogenation with Ir, C-H bond activation occurs at Ir-III and the dehydrogenation is not inhibited by nitrogen, olefin, or water.