Synthesis of iridium complexes bearing {o-(Ph2P)C6H4}(3)E type (E = Si, Ge, and Sn) ligand and evaluation of electron donating ability of group 14 elements E.

Trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) iridium(i) complexes {o-(Ph(2)P)C(6)H(4)}(3)EIr(CO) (E = Si: 1-Ir, Ge: 2-Ir, Sn: 3-Ir) comprising group 14 element E were synthesized and converted into the corresponding cationic iridium(III) complexes [{o-(Ph(2)P)C(6)H(4)}(3)EIr(H)(CO)][BF(4)] (E = Si: 4, Ge: 5, Sn: 6) bearing octahedral geometry by protonation using (Et(2)OH)(BF(4)). The origin of trans-labilizing abilities of E was investigated through structural analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopic analysis, and density functional theory calculations. Further, the electron-donating abilities of E were investigated through proton transfer reactions.