Optically active iridium complexes with cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligands: synthesis and oxidative addition of methyl iodide

The dimer [Ir(μ-Cl)(C₈H₁₄)₂]₂ reacts with the ligands (S)-(C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂)Li and (R)-(C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂)Li to give (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(C₈H₁₄)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(C₈H₁₄)], which upon treatment with CH₃I at room temperature afford the cationic iridium(III) compounds (S,S_Ir)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(C₈H₁₄)][I] as a single diastereomer, and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(C₈H₁₄)][I] as a 9:1 mixture of two diastereomers. If the oxidative addition reaction is performed at reflux in methylene chloride, the starting complexes convert to the neutral compounds (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(I)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(I)] as 1.6:1 and 3.3:1 mixtures of diastereoisomers, respectively. Carbonyl iridium complexes are synthesized by reacting [IrCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] with the ligands to afford (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CO)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CO)]. They give upon treatment with CH₃I the cationic species (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(CO)][I] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(CO)][I] as 1.6:1 and 3:1 mixture of diastereomers, respectively. No migratory-insertion of the methyl group into the carbonyl-metal bond has been observed even after prolonged heating.     

A catalytic synthesis of dialkylamines from alkylamines using neopentyl-substituted PNP pincer-iridium complex

A combination of neopentyl-substituted PNP-iridium complex 2 and NaH could catalyze dimerization of alkylamines to form dialkylamines with the highest activity ever reported. Primary and secondary alkylamines were applicable to the present catalytic reaction. Several mechanistic studies suggested a plausible catalytic cycle. The high activity of catalyst 2 may come from the role of neopentyl groups to make a space around the metal center.     

Color tuning of iridium complexes - Part I: Substituted phenylisoquinoline-based iridium complexes as the triplet emitter

A series of new iridium complexes with isoquinoline derivative ligands were synthesized for application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). It is demonstrated that varying the substituents at the 2′- or 4′-positions of the isoquinoline ligand makes the color tuning possible. Because of the steric effect, the 6′-substituted complexes: bis[1-(6′-methyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6b1), bis[1-(6′-trifluoromethyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6b2), and bis[1-(6′-methoxy)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6b3) show red-shift effect with respect to the 4′-substituted complexes: bis[1-(4′-methyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6a1), bis[1-(4′-trifluoromethyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6a2), and bis[1-(4′-methoxy)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6a3). All of these complexes are suitable for the red phosphorescent materials in OLEDs.     

Aliphatic pincer-type POCOP ligands and their complexation behaviour with iridium: Crystal structure of an iridium(III) phosphinite complex

Reaction of 2 equivalents of 1,3-bis-(di-tert-butylphosphinito)-2-methyl-propane (1a) with [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ affords the first aliphatic diphosphinite PCP pincer complex with iridium, Ir(H){(t-Bu₂POCH₂)₂C(Me)}Cl (2). The poor yield of 2 is partly explained by the formation of a di-nuclear byproduct [IrCl(COD)]₂(μ₂-{(t-Bu₂POCH₂)₂CH(Me)}) (3). Reaction of 1,3-bis-(di-iso-propylphosphinito)-2-methyl-propane (1b) under the same condition does not give any cyclometallation, and reaction with IrCl₃·H₂O in DMF leads to complete decomposition of the pincer ligand under the formation of Ir(H)(i-Pr₂P(OH))₃(CO) (4), underpinning the comparatively low thermal stability of aliphatic phosphinite pincer systems.     

Organoiridium compounds with bidentate phosphines as highly regioselective catalysts for alkynes cyclotrimerization

The iridium derivatives HIr(cod)(L-L) (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene; L-L=Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂ (dppm); Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂ (dppe); Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂ (dppp); Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂ (dppb); o-C₆H₄(PPh₂)₂; Cy₂P(CH₂)₂PCy₂ (dcpe); o-Me₂NC₆H₄PPh₂ (P-NMe₂)) and Ir(OMe)(cod)(dppe-F) (dppe-F=(C₆F₅)₂P(CH₂)₂P(C₆F₅)₂) are active catalysts for the cyclotrimerization of phenylacetylene and substituted derivatives. The nature of the phosphine ligand has a pronounced effect on catalytic activity and selectivity of the reactions: in some cases (L-L=dcpe, dppe-F) mixtures of oligomerization and polymerization products are obtained, in others only cyclomerization is observed, with regioselectivities as high as 100% of the 1,2,4-trisubstituted benzenes in the reactions catalyzed by HIr(cod)(dppm). The observed regioselectivity is discussed in terms of preferential formation of one of the possible metallacyclic intermediates of the catalytic reaction.     

Mononuclear rhodium and iridium compounds with pyridyl-pyrazole ligands

Neutral [MCl(L₂)(Hpzpy)], [M(L₂)(pzpy)] and cationic [M(L₂)(Hpzpy)]CF₃SO₃ rhodium(I) or iridium(I) complexes [M = Rh or Ir; L₂ = diolefin or (CO)₂; pzpy = 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazolate] have been prepared; the pzpy and Hpzpy ligands coordinate to the metal as bidentate chelate groups through one pyrazole nitrogen and the pyridine nitrogen atom. The reactivity of these complexes towards oxidative addition reactions of halogens, methyl iodide or triflic acid and towards displacement reactions has been studied. The neutral and cationic iridium(I) complexes are modest catalysts for the hydrosilylation of phenylacetylene with triethylsilane at 60 °C. The complexes have been characterised by analytical and spectroscopic data; their configuration has been confirmed by COSY and NOESY experiments and the molecular structure of [Rh(COD)(Mepzpy)(PPh₃)]CF₃SO₃ has been established by an X-ray diffraction study.     

Carbon-hydrogen and carbon-heteroatom bond activation using iridium(I) complexes

In this research, the B3LYP density functional and Stevens effective core potentials are used to compare carbon-hydrogen and carbon-heteroatom bond activation by an iridium(I) complex. Of particular importance is to address the kinetic (transition state) and thermodynamic (ground state) selectivity. The complex Ir(PH₃)₂(H) with CH₃-X (X=F, Cl, OH, SH, NH₂, PH₂) as the substrate has been used as a model. Good agreement in geometries is obtained between the target molecules and experimental models. The resultant products of C-H and C-X oxidative addition are Y-shaped minima (i.e., a distorted trigonal bipyramid with one acute and two obtuse angles among the equatorial ligands). Oxidative addition of the C-X bond to the substrate is exothermic for groups 16 and 17, but endothermic for group 15. A significant thermodynamic preference for C-X activation over C-H activation is observed for these Ir(I) complexes. However, analysis of the transition states for oxidative addition suggests that there is a kinetic preference for C-H activation.     

Intramolecular exchange of coordinated and dangling phosphines in pentacarbonyl group 6 complexes of 1,1,2-tris(diphenylphosphino)ethane

The linkage isomers, (OC)₅M[κ¹-PPh₂ CH₂CH(PPh₂)₂] 1 and (OC)₅M[κ¹-PPh₂ CH(PPh₂)CH₂PPh₂] 2 (M = Cr, Mo and W) exist in equilibrium at room temperature. Equilibrium constants for 1Cr ? 2Cr, 1Mo ? 2Mo and 1W ? 2W at 25 °C in CDCl₃ are 2.61, 5.0 and 4.74, respectively. Enthalpy favors the forward reaction (ΔH = −13.5, −12 and −12.2 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively) while entropy favors the reverse reaction (ΔS = −37.6, −28 and −28.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively). Isomerization is much faster than chelation with 1Mo ? 2Mo ? 1W ? 2W > 1Cr ? 2Cr. Enthalpies of activation for 1Cr ? 2Cr and 1W ? 2W are 119.0 and 92.6 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively, and entropies of activation are 1.4 and −28.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. Isomerization is 10⁴ times faster for these complexes than for (OC)₅M[κ¹-PPh₂CH₂CH₂P(p-tolyl)₂]. A novel mechanism is proposed to account for the rate differences. The X-ray crystal structure of 2W shows that the phosphorus atom of the short phosphine arm lies very close to a carbon atom of the W(CO)₄ equatorial plane (3.40 Å) which could allow “through-space” coupling, accounting in part for the observation of long-range J_PC and J_PW coupling. The X-ray structure of (OC)₅W[κ¹-PPh₂ C(CH₂)PPh₂] 5W has been determined for comparison to 2W.     

Synthesis of rhodium and iridium boryl complexes via oxidative addition of haloboranes

B-Chlorocatecholborane undergoes oxidative addition to M(PR₃)₃Cl (M = Rh, R = Me; M = Ir, R = Me, Et) yielding six-coordinate complexes of general formula mer,cis-(PR₃)₃Cl₂M(BO₂C₆H₄). The same M(PR₃)₃Cl complexes also react with B-bromocatecholborane to give a mixture of metal boryl homo- and heterodihalides (PR₃)₃X¹X²M(BO₂C₆H₄) (X¹, X² = Cl, Br), and the observed disproportionation is believed to involve the formation of a heteronuclear halide-bridged intermediate. The alkene 4-vinylanisole failed to react with the six-coordinate, 18-electron (PR₃)₃Cl₂M(BO₂C₆H₄) complexes at ambient temperatures.     

Efficient red-emitting cyclometalated iridium(III) complex and applications of organic light-emitting diode

Novel red phosphorescent emitter bis(2,3-diphenylquinolinato-N,C^2’) iridium(acetylacetonate) [(23dpq)₂Ir(acac)] has been synthesised and fully characterized. A highly efficient red organic light-emitting diode was fabricated by using (23dpq)₂Ir(acac) as an emitter, in which (23dpq)₂Ir(acac) was synthesised from a well-designed ligand-2,3-diphenylquinoline. Electroluminescent device with a configuration of ITO/2-TNATA/NPB/BAlq:(23dpq)₂Ir(acac)/AlQ₃/LiF/Al was fabricated. The device using (23dpq)₂Ir(acac) as a dopant showed pure-red emission with 1931 CIE (Commission International de L’Eclairage) chromaticity coordinates x = 0.66, y = 0.34.     

Carbazole and arylamine functionalized iridium complexes for efficient electro-phosphorescent light-emitting diodes

We report the synthesis and characterization of four cyclometalated iridium complexes based on carbazole and arylamine modified 2-phenylpyridine. The carbazole and arylamine groups are linked to 2-phenyl pyridine backbone to enhance the energy harvesting and transfer from host to guest materials. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of the complexes are studied and electroluminescent devices are fabricated. The results show that the complexes with ligands containing carbazole moieties have desirable phosphorescent properties. The device with complex 3 doped PVK (poly (vinylcarbazole)) as emission layer achieves maximum luminous efficiency of 6.56 cd A⁻¹ and maximum brightness of 14448 cd m⁻².     

Synthesis, crystallography and photoluminescence of a new pyrazolonato iridium complex

By using 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-isobutyryl-5-pyrazolone (pmip) as the ancillary ligand, the cyclometalated complex: bis-(2-phenylpyridine)-(pmip)-iridium [(ppy)₂Ir(pmip)] was synthesized. Its crystal structure, absorption and emission were compared with those of its analogue, the frequently used electrophosphorescent material (ppy)₂Ir(dbm) [bis-(2-phenylpyridine)-(dibenzoylmethane) iridium]. For (ppy)₂Ir(pmip) in dichloromethane, the emission is highly structured and the intensity is 5 times higher than that of (ppy)₂Ir(dbm). It is a result of the higher triplet energy level of pmip relative to that of dbm. In solid state, green emission of (ppy)₂Ir(pmip) peaked at 550 nm was observed with a quantum efficiency 0.31% in contrast to the emission at 626 nm with a quantum efficiency of 0.76% for (ppy)₂Ir(dbm). The bathochromical shift and higher efficiency in crystallized (ppy)₂Ir(dbm) was explained by the stronger π-π intermolecular interactions which is unique to in solid state (ppy)₂Ir(dbm) crystals.     

Color tunable phosphorescent iridium complexes with substituted 2-phenylthiazoles as the cyclometalated ligands

Several new iridium complexes with substituted 2-phenylthiazoles as the cyclometalated ligands have been synthesized and characterized to try to investigate the effect of the size of the π system and substituent groups on physical properties. The complexes have the general structure of (C^∧N)₂Ir(acac), where the C^∧N are 2-phenylthiazole (ptz), 2-(4-methylphenyl)thiazole (mptz), 2-(4-ethylphenyl)thiazole (eptz). The absorption, emission, cyclic voltammetry and thermostability of the complexes were systematically investigated. The experimental results revealed that the maximum emission wavelength in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature are in the range 542-547 nm, which is blue shift than that of the known iridium(III) bis(2-phenylbenzothiazolato-N,C^2′) acetyl acetonate (bt)₂Ir(acac) due to decreasing the size of the π system in the benzothiazole portion of 2-phenylbenzothiazole ligand.     

Syntheses and characterization of iridium and rhodium ethylene complexes containing a doubly linked cyclopentadienyl ligand

The dimerization of 6,6-dimethylfulvene with Ni(cod)₂ yields the 4,4,8,8-tetramethyl-3a,4,7a,8-tetrahydro-s-indacene isomer (1a). Heating a solution of 1a converts it to the 1,4,5,8 (1b) and 1,4,7,8 (1c) tetrahydro-s-indacene isomers. The activation energy for the isomerization is 23(1) kcal/mol. 1b and 1c can be deprotonated with n-BuLi and the reaction of the dianion with [ClIr(C₂H₄)₂]₂ gives two isomers, cis-[(η⁵-C₅H₃)(CMe₂)Ir(C₂H₄)₂]₂ (cis-2) and trans-[(η⁵-C₅H₃)(CMe₂)Ir(C₂H₄)₂]₂ (trans-2). Reaction of 1b and 1c with RhCl₃ · xH₂O in refluxing methanol yields a red-orange solid, which was consistent with the empirical formula, [(C₅H₃)(CMe₂)RhCl₂]_n (3). Reaction of 3 with C₂H₄ in a Na₂CO₃/ethanol mixture afforded cis-[(η⁵-C₅H₃)(CMe₂)Rh(C₂H₄)₂]₂ in 5% yield.     

Tuning of emission: Synthesis, structure and photophysical properties of imidazole, oxazole and thiazole-based iridium (III) complexes

Three new iridium (III) complexes with two cyclometalated C^∧N ligands (imidazole, oxazole and thiazole-based, respectively) and one acetylacetone (acac) ancillary ligand have been synthesized and fully characterized. The structure of the thiazole-based complex has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The Ir center was located in a distorted octahedral environment by three chelating ligands with the N-N in the trans and C-C in the cis configuration. By changing the hetero-atom of C^∧N ligands the order S, O and N, a marked and systematic hypsochromic shift of the maximum emission peak of the complexes was realized. The imidazole-based complex emits at a wavelength of 500 nm, which is in the blue to green region. The tuning of emission wavelengths is consistent with the variation of the energy gap estimated from electrochemistry results. An electroluminescent device using the thiazole-based complex as a dopant in the emitting layer has been fabricated. A highly efficient yellow emission with a maximum luminous efficiency of 9.8 cd/A at a current density of 24.2 mA/cm² and a maximum brightness of 7985 cd/m² at 19.6 V has been achieved.     

Reactions of 2-(arylazo)aniline with iridium trichloride: Synthesis, characterization and structure of new cyclometallated complexes of iridium(III)

Reactions of 2-(arylazo)aniline, HL (H represents the dissociable protons upon orthometallation and HL is p-RC₆H₄NNC₆H₄-NH₂; RH for HL¹; CH₃ for HL² and Cl for HL³) with IrCl₃ in methanol afforded orthometallated complexes of composition (L)(HL)IrCl₂ (2) and (L)(MeOH)IrCl₂ (3), respectively. Complex (L)(MeOH)IrCl₂ (3) converted into (L)(CH₃CN)IrCl₂ (4) upon refluxing in acetonitrile. The X-ray structure of the complexes (L¹)(HL¹)IrCl₂ (2a) and (L³)(CH₃CN)IrCl₂ (4c) have been determined and characterized unequivocally. The anionic L⁻ binds the metal in tridentate (C, N, N) manner for all the complexes.     

Alumina supported potassium permanganate: an efficient reagent for chemoselective dehydrogenation of 2-imidazolines under mild conditions

Potassium permanganate supported on alumina was found to be an efficient reagent system for dehydrogenation of 2-imidazolines to imidazoles under mild conditions at room temperature. Selective oxidation of 2-alkylimidazolines in the presence of 2-arylimidazolines was achieved using this reagent system. 2-Imidazolines were also selectively converted to their corresponding imidazoles in the presence of other oxidizable functional groups such as sulfide, ether, aldehyde, acetal and THP ether. The oxidation procedure described here is easy to carry out and does not require strict reaction conditions.     

Diphosphinoazine rhodium(III) and iridium(III) octahedral complexes

Rhodium(III) and iridium(III) octahedral complexes of general formula [MCl₃{R₂PCH₂C(Bu^t)NNC(Bu^t)CH₂PR₂}] (M = Rh, Ir; R = Ph, c-C₆H₁₁, Prⁱ, Bu^t; not all the combinations) were prepared either from the corresponding diphosphinoazines and RhCl₃ · 3H₂O or by the oxidation of previously reported bridging complexes [{MCl(1,2-η:5,6-η-CHCHCH₂CH₂CHCHCH₂CH₂)}₂{μ-R₂PCH₂C(Bu^t)NNC(Bu^t)CH₂PR₂}] with chlorine-containing solvents. Depending on the steric properties of the ligands, complexes with facial or meridional configuration were obtained. Crystal and molecular structures of three facial and two meridional complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction. Hemilability of ligand in the complex fac-[RhCl₃{(C₆H₁₁)₂PCH₂C(Bu^t)NNC(Bu^t)CH₂P(C₆H₁₁)₂}] consisting in reversible decoordination of the phosphine donor group in the six-membered ring was observed as the first step of isomerization between fac and mer isomers.     

Benzene-1,2-dithiolate-induced assembly of reactive iridium fragments into tetranuclear octahydride complexes

The tetrametallic compound [Ir₄(μ-1,2-S₂C₆H₄)₂(μ-H)₂H₆(PⁱPr₃)₄(NCMe)] (1) has been obtained by treatment of the reactive cationic complex [IrH₂(PⁱPr₃)(NCMe)₃]BF₄ with the benzene-1,2-dithiolate anion. In the solid state, this tetrametallic compound exhibits an irregular nearly planar metal skeleton with the two dithiolate anions bridging the four metal centres from the same side of the tetrametallic plane. Even though all iridium atoms coordinate one PⁱPr₃ ligand, two bridging S atoms and, at least, two hydrides, they show different electronic and coordination environments. This unusual structure is maintained in solution, even after substitution of the labile acetonitrile ligand by other Lewis bases such as ethylene or carbon monoxide.     

Deuterium labeling of norbornene derivatives by iridium catalyzed H/D exchange catalysis

The H/D exchange catalysis using the Ir(I) complex [Tp^Me₂Ir(η⁴-2,3-dimethylbutadiene)] (Tp^Me₂=hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) as the precatalyst was studied for selective deuteration of norbornene derivatives. In dependence of the norbornene substitution in 2,3 positions, selective deuteration of the norbornene double bond could be achieved. (±)-endo,exo-6-Deutero-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester was isolated in 82% yield.