The formation of aldehydes from the photochemically activated reaction of Cp*Ir(CO)(Cl)(CH2R) complexes with water

The iridium complexes Cp*Ir(CO)(Cl)(CH2R), which do not contain any β-hydrogen atoms, react with water to form aldehydes. This reaction was found to be photochemically activated, and a possible pathway involving radical intermediates has been proposed and studied experimentally and computationally.

Graphical abstractThe iridium complexes Cp*Ir(CO)(Cl)(CH2R), undergo photochemically activated Ir–Cl homolytic bond cleavage and radical α-hydrogen abstraction in the presence of water to form aldehydes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Cp*Ir(CO)(Cl)(CH2R) react with water to form aldehydes RCHO. ► Reaction is photochemically activated and proceeds via a radical mechanism. ► Combined experimental and computational study.