Two bis-(propyl-imidazolium)-napthalenediimide (NDI) salts were prepared and used as N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors for the preparation of dimetallic complexes of rhodium and iridium. Infrared spectroelectrochemical studies indicate that the metals...
A series of dimetallic
and monometallic Cp*Ir(III) complexes bearing
naphthalene-diimide-decorated N-heterocyclic carbene/pyridine [NDI-(NHC-pyridine)]
ligands were prepared and characterized. The complexes show a C,C-chelating
coordination of the NHC-pyridine ligand, with the pyridine ring of
the ligand bound to the metal via cyclometallation rather than by
its nitrogen atom, although the coordination by the nitrogen atom
could be achieved by subjecting one of the complexes to reaction with
a strong acid. The spectroelectrochemical studies of the new compounds
reveal that the complexes are able to undergo two successive reduction
events, associated with the sequential reduction of the NDI moiety
of the ligand. The new complexes were tested in the dehydrative etherification
by cross-coupling of primary alcohols, where they showed good activity
and selectivity toward the cross-coupled products. The mechanistic
studies allowed us to propose a reaction mechanism which likely involves
a redox-neutral acid-catalyzed pathway.
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