Formation of unusual iridabenzene and metallanaphthalene containing electron-withdrawing substituents

A new route to irida-aromatic derivatives which consists of the oxidation of bicyclic compounds has been disclosed. The iridanaphthalene 3 experiences hydrolytic cleavage of the Ir-carboxylate moiety regenerating the bicyclic structure 5, whereas treatment of 5 with ClC(O)CO2Me yields back the metalla-aromatic 3. Copyright © 2003 American Chemical Society.Financial support from the DGI (Project BQU2001-1995, FEDER support) and from the Junta de Andalucía, EU COST Action WG-D17-003, and cooperation project CSICCONACyT 2001MX0003-E130.0337 are gratefully acknowledged. C.M.P. and N.R. thank the Junta de Andalucía and the MECD for research grants.Peer Reviewe