Syntheses and crystal structures of the first iridium complexes with m- and p-terphenyl (tp). {[Ir2(p-tp)(cod)2](BF4)2 · 2CH2Cl2}3 and [Ir(m-tp)(η5-C5Me5)](BF4)2

Novel two iridium terphenyl complexes were prepared and their structures were characterized crystallographically. The reaction of [Ir(cod)2]BF4 with p-terphenyl (p-tp) in CH2Cl2 was carried out to afford dinuclear Ir(I) complex {[Ir2(p-tp)(cod)2](BF4)2 · 2CH2Cl2}3 (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene) (1 · 2CH2Cl2), whereas the reaction of the intermediate [Ir(η5-C5Me5)(Me2CO)3]3+ in Me2CO with m-terphenyl (m-tp) was done to provide mononuclear Ir(III) complex [Ir(m-tp)(η5-C5Me5)](BF4)2 (2). In complex 1 · 2CH2Cl2, two Ir atoms are η6-coordinated to both sides of terminal benzene rings from the upper and lower sides in the p-tp ligand, while one Ir atom is η6-coordinated to one side of the terminal benzene ring in the m-tp ligand in complex 2. Each crystal structure describes the first coordination mode found in metal complexes with the m- and p-tp ligands.