title: A cis-IrL(CO) group responds to increasing steric bulk of L by M-L stretching, not M-C-O tilting or bending.
abstract: The crystal structures of [Ir(2-R-bq)(PPh(3))(2)(H)(CO)](+) (bq = benzoquinolinato; R = H, i-Pr, t-Bu) show that steric interference caused by contact between the bulky pendant R groups of the bq and the C of the cis-CO is relieved by Ir-N bond stretching in the Irbq system and bending of the trans-Ph(3)P-Ir-PPh(3) groups, rather than by tilting or bending of the CO. Ir-CO is therefore more rigid than the Ir-N and Ir-P bonds. The Ir-N stretching is aided by the presence of a high trans effect H trans to N.
authors.affiliation: Yale Chemistry Department, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8107, USA.
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dubé
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Faller
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Crabtree