Iridium(I) Complexes with Anionic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands as Catalysts for H/D Exchange in Nonpolar Media
Marvin Koneczny, Luong Phong Ho, Alexandre Nasr, Matthias Freytag, Peter G. Jones, Matthias Tamm
Abstract
Abstract A series of neutral iridium(I) complexes of the general type [(WCA−NHC)]IrL(COD)] (COD=1,5‐cyclooctadiene; L=phosphine, pyridine), bearing anionic N‐heterocyclic carbenes (WCA−NHC) with a weakly coordinating anionic (WCA) borate moiety, were prepared by addition of phosphines and pyridine to [(WCA−NHC)]Ir(COD)], in which the available coordination site is stabilized by intramolecular metal‐arene interaction (π‐face donation). The solvent and substrate scope of the neutral complexes as catalysts for H/D exchange was investigated, revealing their suitability for promoting efficient deuteration in nonpolar solvents such as cyclohexane. magnified image