Tautomerisation of 2-Substituted Pyridines to N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Induced by the 16 e- Unsaturated [TpMe2IrIII(C6H5)2] Moiety

The complex [TpMe2Ir(C6H5)2(N2)] reacts with several 2-substituted pyridines to generate N-heterocyclic carbenes resulting from a formal 1,2-hydrogen shift from C6 to N. In this paper we provide a detailed report of the scope and the mechanistic aspects (both experimental and theoretical) of the tautomerisation of 2-substituted pyridines.Peer Reviewe