Synthesis and Application of Pyrrole-Based PNP–Ir Complexes to Catalytic Transfer Dehydrogenation of Cyclooctane

A series of tBu- and iPr-substituted PNP–pincer Ir and Rh complexes with pyrrole-based core were synthesized and characterized. The structures of the obtained complexes were varied depending on the size of alkyl substituents and ligands other than PNP ligand. All of them exhibit low activity toward transfer dehydrogenation of cyclooctane.