title: Solvent promoted reversible cyclometalation in a tethered NHC iridium complex.
abstract: Reaction of [Ir(COD)(py-I(t)Bu)](+) (py-I(t)Bu = 3-tert-butyl-1-picolylimidazol-2-ylidene) with acetonitrile results in reversible intramolecular C-H bond activation of the NHC ligand and formation of [Ir(η(2):η(1)-C8H13)(py-I(t)Bu')(NCMe)](+). Coordinated COD acts as an internal hydride acceptor and acetonitrile coordination offsets the otherwise unfavourable thermodynamics of the process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. a.b.chaplin@warwick.ac.uk.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Wheatley
authors.forename: C André
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ohlin
authors.forename: Adrian B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Chaplin