Alkane Dehydrogenation by C–H Activation at Iridium(III)

Stoichiometric alkane dehydrogenation utilizing an Ir III pincer complex, ( dm Phebox)Ir(OAc) 2 (OH 2 ) ( 1a ), has been described. The reaction between 1a and octane resulted in quantitative formation of ( dm Phebox)Ir(OAc)(H) ( 3a ) and octene. At early reaction times 1-octene is the major product, indicative of terminal C–H activation by 1a . In contrast to prior reports of alkane dehydrogenation with Ir, C–H bond activation occurs at Ir III and the dehydrogenation is not inhibited by nitrogen, olefin, or water.