Transfer hydrogenation reaction using novel ionic liquid based Rh(I) and Ir(III)-phosphinite complexes as catalyst

For the first time, (1-chloro-3-(3-methylimidazolidin-1-yl)propan-2-yl diphenylphosphinite chloride) (chloro ɳ4-1,5-cyclooctadiene rhodium(I))] and (1-chloro-3-(3-methylimidazolidin-1-yl)propan-2-yl diphenylphosphinite chloride) (dichloro ɳ5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl iridium(III))] complexes have been synthesized with high yields. The novel catalysts were applied to transfer hydrogenation of various using 2-propanol as a hydrogen source. Notably, rhodium(I) complex is much more active in the transfer hydrogenation, giving the corresponding alcohols up to 99% conversions in 5 min (TOF ≤ 1176 h−1).