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Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Alkanes by PCP–Pincer Iridium Complexes Using Proton and Electron Acceptors

Journal Article · · ACS Catalysis
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [3]
  1. Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, NJ (United States); Rutgers University
  2. Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (United States)
  3. Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, NJ (United States)
Dehydrogenation to give olefins offers the most broadly applicable route to the chemical transformation of alkanes. Furthermore, transition-metal-based catalysts can selectively dehydrogenate alkanes using either olefinic sacrificial acceptors or a purge mechanism to remove H2; both of these approaches have significant practical limitations. Here, we report the use of pincer-ligated iridium complexes to achieve alkane dehydrogenation by proton-coupled electron transfer, using pairs of oxidants and bases as proton and electron acceptors. Up to 97% yield was achieved with respect to oxidant and base, and up to 15 catalytic turnovers with respect to iridium, using t-butoxide as base coupled with various oxidants, including oxidants with very low reduction potentials. Mechanistic studies indicate that (pincer)IrH2 complexes react with oxidants and base to give the corresponding cationic (pincer)IrH+ complex, which is subsequently deprotonated by a second equivalent of base; this affords (pincer)Ir which is known to dehydrogenate alkanes and thereby regenerates (pincer)IrH2.
Research Organization:
Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, NJ (United States); Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0020139
OSTI ID:
1776516
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2001245
Journal Information:
ACS Catalysis, Journal Name: ACS Catalysis Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 11; ISSN 2155-5435
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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