Iridium complex bearing a chiral hydroxy-amide functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene: a catalyst precursor for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

A new monodentate iridium(III) complex bearing a readily accessible and tunable chiral hydroxy-amide functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, Cp∗Ir(NHC)Cl2, has been synthesized and characterized by crystallographic methods. The monodentate Cp∗Ir(NHC)Cl2 complex was found to act as a catalyst precursor for the stereoselective transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in the presence of KOH even at room temperature. Moderate enantioselectivity was observed in the initial screening of the chiral ligands.