Anchoring an Iridium Pincer Complex in a Hydrophobic Microporous Polymer for Application in Continuous-Flow Alkane Dehydrogenation

Abstract

An iridium pincer complex {p-KO-C6H2-2,6-[OP(t-Bu)2]2}Ir(C2H4) is immobilized in a propyl bromide-functionalized microporous polymer network using the concepts of surface organometallic chemistry. The support material enables the formation of isolated active metal sites embedded in a chemically robust and highly hydrophobic environment. The catalyst maintained high porosity and – without prior activation – exhibited high activity in the continuous-flow dehydrogenation of cyclohexane at elevated temperatures. The catalyst shows a stable performance for at least 7 days, even when additional H2O was co-fed, owing to its hydrophobic nature.