Reactions of 2-(arylazo)aniline with iridium trichloride: Synthesis, characterization and structure of new cyclometallated complexes of iridium(III)

► Reaction of IrCl3 with 2-(arylazo)aniline has been reported for the first time. ► New orthometallated Ir(III) complexes have been synthesized and characterized unequivocally which is important in terms of C-H activation. ► Subtle mismatch in the properties of RhCl3 and IrCl3 have been proposed on the basis of experimental results.