On the Extreme Oxidation States of Iridium

It has recently been suggested that the oxidation states of Ir run from the putative -III in the synthesized solid Na3 [Ir(CO)3 ] to the well-documented +IX in the species IrO4 (+) . Furthermore, [Ir(CO)3 ](3-) was identified as an 18-electron species. A closer DFT study now finds support for this picture: The orbitals spanned by the 6s,6p,5d orbitals of the iridium are all occupied. Although some have considerable ligand character, the deviations from 18 e leave the orbital symmetries unchanged. The isoelectronic systems from Os(-IV) to Au(-I) behave similarly, suggesting further possible species. To paraphrase Richard P. Feynmann "there is plenty of room at the bottom".