Early–Late Heterobimetallic Complexes with a Ta–Ir Multiple Bond: Bimetallic Oxidative Additions of C–H, N–H, and O–H Bonds

A heterobinuclear transition metal complex with a Ta–Ir
multiple bond, Cp*­(Me3SiCH2)2Ta–IrCp*­(H)2 (1), was synthesized using a salt elimination
reaction. The isolable complex was characterized by NMR, IR, UV–vis
spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 features
an exceptionally short intermetallic distance (Ta–Ir 2.4457(3)
Å). DFT calculation for 1 revealed the presence
of a highly covalent bonding nature in spite of the involvement of
such disparate d elements. Oxidative additions of C–H, N–H,
and O–H bonds to 1 were also investigated.