“Pincer” Pyridine–Dicarbene–Iridium Complexes: Facile CH Activation and Unexpected η2‐Imidazol‐2‐ylidene Coordination

A bridge to somewhere: A series of pyridine dicarbene iridium “pincer” complexes is easily accessible when pyridine ring metalation is suppressed by methyl substitution (see structure; NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene). A new bridging binding mode of the imidazol-2-ylidene heterocycle, involving η2-alkene-like coordination, has been observed crystallographically.