Concept of the H(δ+)⋯ H(δ–) interaction. A low-temperature neutron diffraction study of cis-[IrH(OH)(PMe3)4]PF6

Abstract

The structure of the rare hydridohydroxy complex cis-[IrH(OH)(PMe₃)₄]PF₆ has been analyzed at 20 K by single-crystal neutron diffraction. The results confirm the geometry derived from an earlier X-ray analysis. Perhaps the most significant result concerns the bending of the O–H group towards the hydride ligand, with a smaller-than-usual Ir–O–H angle of 104.4(7)°, suggestive of an attractive interaction between the electron-deficient H atom of the hydroxy group and the electronegative hydride ligand.