Site-Selective Alkyl Dehydrogenation of a Coordinated Acylphosphine Ligand

Regio- and stereoselective alkane dehydrogenation is a difficult challenge in organometallic chemistry. Intermolecular reactions of this type typically produce numerous olefin stereo- and regioisomers. Herein, we report our initial investigations into the intramolecular dehydrogenation of a datively bound alkyl ligand, demonstrating the first example of a site-selective dehydrogenation of an unactivated acyclic alkyl group. The alkyl group is located on an acylphosphine ligand that is coordinated to a Cp*IrCl₂ monomer. A mechanistic proposal, guided by the isolation of a dimeric iridium complex and supported by computational results, is also described

Site-Selective Alkyl Dehydrogenation of a Coordinated Acylphosphine Ligand

Regio- and stereoselective alkane dehydrogenation is a difficult challenge in organometallic chemistry. Intermolecular reactions of this type typically produce numerous olefin stereo- and regioisomers. Herein, we report our initial investigations into the intramolecular dehydrogenation of a datively bound alkyl ligand, demonstrating the first example of a site-selective dehydrogenation of an unactivated acyclic alkyl group. The alkyl group is located on an acylphosphine ligand that is coordinated to a Cp*IrCl₂ monomer. A mechanistic proposal, guided by the isolation of a dimeric iridium complex and supported by computational results, is also described

Bis-BN Cyclohexane: A Remarkably Kinetically Stable Chemical Hydrogen Storage Material

A critical component for the successful development of fuel cell applications is hydrogen storage. For back-up power applications, where long storage periods under extreme temperatures are expected, the thermal stability of the storage material is particularly important. Here, we describe the development of an unusually kinetically stable chemical hydrogen storage material with a H₂ storage capacity of 4.7 wt%. The compound, which is the first reported parental BN isostere of cyclohexane featuring two BN units, is thermally stable up to 150 °C both in solution and as a neat material. Yet, it can be activated to rapidly desorb H₂ at room temperature in the presence of a catalyst without releasing other detectable volatile contaminants. We also disclose the isolation and characterization of two cage compounds with <i>S</i>₄ symmetry from the H₂ desorption reactions