Highly Stable Cp*−Ir(III) Complexes with <i>N</i>-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands as C−H Activation Catalysts for the Deuteration of Organic Molecules

The preparation of a series of complexes of the type Cp*IrX2(NHC) provides effective catalysts for the H/D exchange of a wide range of organic molecules in methanol-d4. The reaction proceeds with higher yields under milder reaction conditions than previous Cp*Ir systems reported thus far. For comparative purposes, we also studied the catalytic activity of Cp*IrCl2(PMe3) under the same reaction conditions. The molecular structures of two of the new Cp*Ir(NHC) complexes are described.