Catalytic hydrogenation of non-activated olefins in the presence of iridium hydrido-complexes

Abstract

The hydrogenation of non-activated olefins, i.e. ethylene and hex-1-ene by [Ir(PPh₃)₂H₃] in dichloromethane at room temperature is reported. Under these experimental conditions [Ir(PPh₃)₃H₃] is not effective. Hex-1-ene is hydrogenated in dichloromethane by molecular hydrogen under normal conditions in the presence of [Ir(PPh₃)₂H-(solvent)] acting as the catalyst; hex-2-ene is formed only in traces.