Iridium Complexes of a Triazole‐Derived Pincer Ligand: Synthesis, Reactivity, and Transfer Dehydrogenation Catalysis

An asymmetric t BuPOCNTriaz type pincer ligand containing a triazole arm was developed and used to generate iridium pincer complexes with different oxygen atom binding ancillary ligands. The structure and reactivity of the complexes [(t BuPOCNTriaz)Ir(H)(O₂CCH₃)], [(t BuPOCNTriaz)Ir(H)(acac)], and [(t BuPOC)Ir(H)(O₂CCF₃)] and its cationic derivatives were studied. The complexes could be successfully employed in the catalytic transfer dehydrogenation of alkanes as well as of unsaturated heterocycles.