Stable iridium(iv) complexes supported by tetradentate salen ligands. Synthesis, structures and reactivity.

A series of trans-dichloroiridium(iv)-salen complexes were synthesized and structurally characterized by spectroscopic means and X-ray crystal structures. These Ir(iv) complexes are able to catalyze intramolecular C-H amination of aryl azides. The catalytic amination was drastically accelerated under microwave-assisted conditions, and possibly involves Ir-imido intermediates as supported by high-resolution ESI-MS analysis.