Acceptor (CF3)PCPH pincer reactivity with (PPh3)3Ir(CO)H

The syntheses of Ir(I) and Ir(III) complexes incorporating the electron-withdrawing pincer ligand (1,3-C(6)H(4)(CH(2)P(CF(3))(2))(2)) ((CF(3))PCPH) with (PPh(3))(3)Ir(CO)H and subsequent chemistry are reported. Under ambient conditions, reaction of 1 equiv. (CF(3))PCPH with (PPh(3))(3)Ir(CO)H gave the mono-bridged complex [Ir(CO)(PPh(3))(2)(H)](2)(μ-(CF(3))PCPH) (1). Reaction of (PPh(3))(3)Ir(CO)H with excess (CF(3))PCPH and MeI gave the doubly-bridged complex [Ir(CO)(PPh(3))(H)](2)(μ-(CF(3))PCPH)(2) (2), whereas the tetrameric oligomer [Ir(CO)(PPh(3))(H)](4)(μ-(CF(3))PCPH)(4) (2-sq) was obtained from a 1:1 ligand:metal mixture in benzene in the presence of excess MeI. At higher temperatures (165 °C) the reaction of (CF(3))PCPH with (PPh(3))(3)Ir(CO)H afforded the 5-coordinate Ir(I) complex ((CF(3))PCP)Ir(CO)(PPh(3)) (3). Complex 3 shows mild catalytic activity for the decarbonylation of 2-naphthaldehyde in refluxing diglyme (162 °C).