IrCl2H(Pi-Pr3)2 as catalyst precursor for the reduction of unsaturated substrates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(93)80214-V

The complex IrCl2H(Pi-Pr3)2 in the presence of NaBH4 catalyzes hydrogen transfer from 2-propanol to cyclohexanone, 3-methylcyclohexanone, benzylideneacetone, styrene, and cyclohexadienes.Under the reaction conditions, the compound IrH5(Pi-Pr3)2, is formed and is the actual catalyst precursor.The complex IrCl2H(Pi-Pr3)2 reacts with hydrogen to give the dihydrido complex IrClH2(Pi-Pr3)2.In the presence of unsaturated substrates such as benzylideneacetone, phenylacetylene, styrene, and 1,4-cyclohexadiene, this reaction is inhibited, and reduction of these substrates takes place.The compound IrClH2(Pi-Pr3)2 is itself also an active catalyst for the hydrogenation of the above-mentioned substrates.