Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activities of Dinuclear Iridium Polyhydride Complexes Bearing BINAP Ligands

A series of dinuclear
iridium polyhydride complexes bearing BINAP
ligands were synthesized and characterized for use as photocatalysts.
The UV–vis absorption spectra of theses complexes exhibit absorption
bands that extend to the low-energy region. These complexes show catalytic
activities toward the hydrogenation of 1-hexene under photoirradiation
conditions (λ 395 nm), suggesting that the catalysts are activated
by light. By exposure of an acetone solution of a complex to a D2 atmosphere, an H–D exchange reaction occurred promptly
on irradiation, while this exchange was sluggish in the dark.