Swapping N,P for C,N: Iridium complexes of bidentate pyridine-based C,N ligands with an N-heterocylic carbene (NHC) unit proved to be efficient and highly enantioselective hydrogenation catalysts. As a result of the lower acidity of iridium hydride intermediates produced from NHC-based complexes, these catalysts are much better suited than analogous N,P-ligand complexes for the hydrogenation of acid-sensitive substrates.
Swapping N,P for C,N: Iridium complexes of pan> class="Chemical">bidentate pyridine-based C,N ligands with an N-heterocyliccarbene (NHC) unit proved to be efficient and highly enantioselective hydrogenation catalysts. As a result of the lower acidity of iridium hydride intermediates produced from NHC-based complexes, these catalysts are much better suited than analogous N,P-ligand complexes for the hydrogenation of acid-sensitive substrates.