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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Catalytic Reactions at Amine-Stabilized and Ligand-Free Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Titania During Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Aldehydes
Published on: June 24, 2022
Highly active iridium catalysts for the hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes
Xuanhua Chen1, Wenli Jia, Rongwei Guo
1Kanata Chemical Technologies Inc., 101 College Street, Office 230, MaRS Centre, South Tower, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.
Abstract:
The pressure hydrogenation capabilities of the iridium pincer complexes IrH2Cl[((i)Pr2PC2H4)2NH] (1) and IrH3[((i)Pr2PC2H4)2NH] (2) are described and compared to related results obtained previously in transfer hydrogenation. Complex 1 was shown to act as a convenient air-stable entry point to the active catalyst 2, in the presence of base and hydrogen gas. The catalysts are active in a range of solvents, including CH2Cl2 and CHCl3, in contrast to related ruthenium systems. This class of iridium complexes is very effective for the direct hydrogenation of a wide range of carbonyl compounds including ketones, diketones, alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes. A catalytic cycle is proposed for this system which involves an ionic heterolytic bifunctional hydrogenation mechanism.
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