Binuclear [(cod)(Cl)Ir(bpi)Ir(cod)]⁺ for Catalytic Water Oxidation

The binuclear iridium complex [(cod)(Cl)Ir(bpi)Ir(cod)]PF6 (bpi = (pyridin-2-ylmethyl)(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amine; cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) reveals a noteworthy asymmetric binuclear coordination geometry, wherein the bpi ligand acts as a heteroditopic ligand and has an unusual π-coordinated imine moiety. This species is an effective precatalyst for water oxidation. After a short incubation time the catalyst reveals a turnover frequency of 3400 mol mol−1 s−1 with an overall turnover number >1000.