Cationic and Neutral Iridium(III) Hydride Complexes Supported by a Rigid, Bidentate Boryl/Phosphine Ligand

We here report the oxidative addition of a hydroborane ligand to two low-valent Ir(I) precursors to furnish Ir(III) hydride complexes bearing a bidentate boryl/phosphine ligand. One cationic iridium complex easily displaces a THE and 1,5-COD supporting ligand by hydrogenation in benzene, to form a stable Ir(III) eta(6) -benzene complex. The arene coordination thus gives insight into possible poisoning by arenes in catalytic reactions.

Automated summary

In this study, we report the oxidative addition reaction of a hydroborane ligand with two low-valent Ir(I) precursors to form Ir(III) hydride complexes with a bidentate boryl/phosphine ligand. One cationic iridium complex easily replaces a THE and 1,5-COD supporting ligand by hydrogenation, yielding a stable Ir(III) eta(6)-benzene complex. The coordination of arene sheds light on the possible poisoning effects of arenes in catalytic reactions.