Iridium phosphine abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in catalytic hydrogen transfer reactions

Several iridium complexes bearing chelating abnormal N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are shown to be active catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of ketones or enones, dehydrative C–C coupling between primary and secondary alcohols, and dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol to benzyl benzoate. In the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone, abnormal NHC complexes give higher activity than a normal analogue. Dehydrative C–C coupling reactions between primary and secondary alcohols result in β-alkylation of the secondary alcohols, using primary alcohols as the apparent alkylating reagents, and such reactions proceed with high yield and selectivity. These catalytic processes are known to involve metal-mediated temporary borrowing of hydrogen from alcohols and subsequent delivery of the hydrogen to CC and /or CO bonds.