Oxidative addition of alkyl or aryl chloroformates to the complexes [IrCl(CO)L2](L = dimethylphenyl-phoshine or -arsine, or trimethylphosphine). Iridium–carboxy-complexes

Abstract

A series of alkoxycarbonyliridium(III) complexes of the type [IrCl₂(CO₂R)(CO)L₂] configuration (I)(R = Me, Et, or Ph; L = PMe₂Ph or AsMe₂Ph) were prepared by oxidative addition of the corresponding chloroformate ester to complexes of type trans-[lrCl(CO)L₂]. The adducts react with dry HCl in chloroform to give cations of type [lrCl₂(CO)₂L₂]⁺ which in turn react with wet ether to give carboxy-complexes [lrCl₂(CO₂H)(CO)L₂]. These are the first examples of compounds containing a carboxy-group bonded to a metal. Infrared and n.m.r. data are given and discussed.