Supercritical fluids in organometallic chemistry: IR evidence for the photochemical C–H activation of high density polyethylene by [(η5-C5Me5)Ir(CO)2]

Abstract

Supercritical CO₂(scCO₂) is used to impregnate high density polyethylene film with [(C₅Me₅)Ir(CO)₂]; UV irradiation causes changes in the IR spectrum consistent with C–H activation and formation of [(C₅Me₅)Ir(CO)(H)(polymer)], and subsequent extraction of the polyethylene with scCO₂ removes unreacted [(C₅Me₅)Ir(CO)₂] leaving the photoproduct in the film.