Anti-Markovnikov Hydroarylation of Unactivated Olefins Catalyzed by a Bis-tropolonato Iridium(III) Organometallic Complex

Abstract

Recently, we reported the first catalytic, intermolecular, anti-Markovnikov hydroarylation of unactivated olefins by a homogeneous, bis-chelating, O-donor Ir(III) complex, (acac-O,O)_2Ir(R)(L), based on the simplest β-diketonate acetylacetonate (acac-O,O). With the ultimate objective of designing more active catalysts for this potentially useful reaction on the basis of structure function studies, we synthesized the related O-donor, bis-tropolonato Ir(III) organometallic analogues. Herein, we report that the new O-donor complex, (trop-O,O)_2Ir(Ph)(Py), is an active catalyst for the anti-Markovnikov hydroarylation of unactivated olefins and that theoretical calculations are consistent with catalysis proceeding via arene CH activation and olefin insertion.

Group Members

William A. Goddard III

Charles and Mary Ferkel Professor