Synthesis and Characterization of Aminocarboxylato Iridium(III) Complexes

Aminocarboxylic acids, such as 2-aminobenzoic acid, react easily with [Ir(COD)(PMe3)3]Cl, (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene), in THF to produce hydridoaminocarboxylato iridium(III) complexes in high yields. These octahedral complexes are formed via oxidative addition reaction of the O-H bond of the carboxylic group with the central metal. The starting iridium(I) complex losses the COD molecule, the chloride is coordinated to the metal and the phosphine groups take a meridional position in the final products which are characterized by 1H, 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopies.