title: New Ir Bis-Carbonyl Precursor for Water Oxidation Catalysis.
abstract: This paper introduces Ir(I)(CO)2(pyalc) (pyalc = (2-pyridyl)-2-propanoate) as an atom-efficient precursor for Ir-based homogeneous oxidation catalysis. This compound was chosen to simplify analysis of the water oxidation catalyst species formed by the previously reported Cp*Ir(III)(pyalc)OH water oxidation precatalyst. Here, we present a comparative study on the chemical and catalytic properties of these two precursors. Previous studies show that oxidative activation of Cp*Ir-based precursors with NaIO4 results in formation of a blue Ir(IV) species. This activation is concomitant with the loss of the placeholder Cp* ligand which oxidatively degrades to form acetic acid, iodate, and other obligatory byproducts. The activation process requires substantial amounts of primary oxidant, and the degradation products complicate analysis of the resulting Ir(IV) species. The species formed from oxidation of the Ir(CO)2(pyalc) precursor, on the other hand, lacks these degradation products (the CO ligands are easily lost upon oxidation) which allows for more detailed examination of the resulting Ir(pyalc) active species both catalytically and spectroscopically, although complete structural analysis is still elusive. Once Ir(CO)2(pyalc) is activated, the system requires acetic acid or acetate to prevent the formation of nanoparticles. Investigation of the activated bis-carbonyl complex also suggests several Ir(pyalc) isomers may exist in solution. By (1)H NMR, activated Ir(CO)2(pyalc) has fewer isomers than activated Cp*Ir complexes, allowing for advanced characterization. Future research in this direction is expected to contribute to a better structural understanding of the active species. A diol crystallization agent was needed for the structure determination of 3.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University , 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States.
authors.forename: Daria L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University , 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beltrán-Suito
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University , 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States.
authors.forename: Julianne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , 9 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States.
authors.forename: Sara M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hashmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University , 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States.
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Materna
authors.affiliation: Catalytic Innovations LLC , 70 Crandall Road, P.O. Box 356, Adamsville, Rhode Island 02801, United States.
authors.forename: Stafford W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Sheehan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University , 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States.
authors.forename: Brandon Q
authors.initials: BQ
authors.lastname: Mercado
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University , 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States.
authors.forename: Gary W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Brudvig
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University , 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Crabtree