Challenges in cyclometalation : steric effects leading to competing pathways and η1,η2-cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes

• Main Authors: Chen, Jeremy Houguang, Teo, Ronald Hong Xiang, Wong, Jonathan, Li, Yongxin, Pullarkat, Sumod A., Leung, Pak-Hing
• Other Authors: School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Engineering::Chemical engineering; Alkenylation; 8-Aminoquinoline
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/144224
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The iridation of (R)-N,N-dimethyl-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine in the presence of a base afforded an assortment of products ranging from organic molecules to coordinated systems and cyclometalated complexes. The transformation affirmed the postulation where steric effects within the coordination sphere favor a β-hydride elimination-like decomposition pathway, competing alongside ortho-metalation, thus leading to iminium intermediates. The same procedure also generated an unprecedented carbocyclic η1,η2-cycloiridated species that could not be attained from the direct cyclometalation of its organic ligand.