A long-tethered (P-B-P)-pincer ligand: synthesis, complexation, and application to catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes.

A new long-tethered boron-containing (P-B-P)-pincer ligand 8 has been synthesized. Complexation of 8 with [Ir(coe)2Cl]2 (coe = cyclooctene) resulted in (P-B-P)(hydrido)chloroiridium complex (P-B-P)Ir(H)Cl 9. Subsequent reaction with nBuLi led to the formation of dihydride complex (P-B-P)Ir(H)210. Both complexes were found to be moderately active for the catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes.