Synthesis of new NHC–rhodium and iridium complexes derived from 2,2′-diaminobiphenyl and their catalytic activities toward hydrosilylation of ketones

Four new N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–rhodium and iridium complexes derived from 2,2′-diaminobiphenyl have been successfully synthesized and their structures have been unambiguously characterized by X-ray diffraction. Their catalytic activities for hydrosilylation of ketones with diphenylsilane were investigated. It was found that NHC–rhodium complex (6) is the best one among the four catalysts for the reduction of ketones.