ACTIVATION OF C-H BONDS IN SATURATED HYDROCARBONS ON PHOTOLYSIS OF ( eta 5 -C5Me5)(PMe3)IrH2 . RELATIVE RATES OF REACTION OF THE INTERMEDIATE WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF C-H BONDS AND FUNCTIONALIZATION OF THE METAL-BOUND ALKYL GROUPS.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00350a031

The details of experiments on a homogeneous system which successfully converts completely saturated alkanes into hydridoalkylmetal complexes are reported. Irradiation in saturated hydrocarbons using a focused-beam mercury lamp leads to extrusion of hydrogen and the production of hydridoalkyl complexes. Competition experiments allowed the measurement of the relative rates at which the intermediate formed on hydrogen loss reacts with different types of C-H bonds.