Synthesis and X-ray structures of cyclometalated iridium complexes including the hydrides.

Cyclometalation of [Cp*IrCl(2)](2) with ketimine ligands generated very active catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of imines as well as reductive amination. The synthesis and X-ray diffraction structures of three such complexes are disclosed in this paper. The hydrides of two complexes, key intermediates in hydrogenation, have been isolated and their structures determined by X-ray diffraction as well.