Hydrogen Addition to (pincer)IrI(CO) Complexes: The Importance of Steric and Electronic Factors

(POCOP)IrI(CO) [POCOP = κ3-C6H3-2,6-(OPR2)2 for R = tBu, iPr] and (PCP)IrI(CO) [PCP = κ3-C6H3-2,6-(CH2PR2)2 for R = tBu and iPr] complexes can add hydrogen via two distinct pathways. When R = tBu, (POCOP)Ir(CO) and (PCP)Ir(CO) complexes only add hydrogen via a proton-catalyzed pathway due to steric effects, yielding trans-dihydride complexes. For R = iPr, both systems oxidatively add hydrogen to give cis-dihydride complexes which thermally isomerize to more thermodynamically favorable trans-dihydride species, consistent with previous reports. Proton-catalyzed hydrogen addition pathways are also observed for both iPr-substituted (pincer)Ir(CO) complexes. (PCP)Ir(CO) complexes add hydrogen under milder conditions than the analogous POCOP species. Intermediate hydrido-pyridine Ir(III) carbonyl complexes from the proton-catalyzed pathway have been synthesized and characterized. This is the first report of a series of complexes shown to add hydrogen via concerted oxidative addition or a proton-catalyzed pathwa...