Solvent free selective dehydrogenation of indolic and carbazolic molecules with an iridium pincer catalyst
Abstract
A previously known iridium POCOP pincer catalyst was found to selectively dehydrogenate the heterocyclic portion of several indolic and carbazolic molecules. These molecules were found to have an “activity window” (172–178 °C) upon which only the heterocyclic ring underwent dehydrogenation. All reactions were run solvent free, yields for selected substrates were excellent, and the products were isolated by either distillation or alumina plug filtration.