The catalytic activity in transfer hydrogenation of Ir(III) complexes featuring methylene bridged bis-NHC ligands that contain wingtip groups with different coordination ability and steric impact was performed. A variety of [M(L)2(L')2{κC,C'-bis(NHC)}]BF4 complexes (M = Rh or Ir; L = CH3CN or wingtip group; L' = I– or CF3COO–; NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) have been tested as pre-catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones and imines. The nature of the ligand system and metal centre affects the conversions and TOF’s obtained. Finally, a detailed mechanistic study that discloses the hitherto unknown intermediate species as well as the role played by the ancillary ligands is proposed based DFT calculations and experimental data.

Iridium(III) bis-N-heterocyclic carbenes catalysed transfer hydrogenation reactions

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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