Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of oxotrimesityliridium(V)

The interaction of trimesityliridium(III) with trimethylamine oxide gives quantitative yields of the green iridium(V) complex Ir(O)(mes)3, whose X-ray crystal structure has been determined. The oxo compound is also obtained by interaction of dioxygen with Ir(mes)3 and Ir(mes)4. A similar oxo species has also been obtained from Ir(2,6-Me2C6H3)4. The molecular structure of Ir(O)(mes)3 is distorted tetrahedral with IrO and IrC bond lengths of 1.725(9) and 1.989-2.034(13) Å, respectively.