Alkynyl(phenyl) iodonium triflates as precursors to iridium(III)σ-acetylide complexes

Abstract

The reaction of Vaska's complex 2 with alkynyl(phenyl)iodonium triflate salt 5 has been used to generate the Ir(III) σ-acetylide complex 6. The labile triflate ligand is easily displaced from 6, and this property has been used to explore the ability of a nitrile ligand to coordinate to the iridium center in exchange reactions, giving complexes 7a-d in excellent yields. All complexes are stable under ambient conditions. The solid-state structure of alkynyl iodonium salt 5, as well as complexes 7a and 7d have been investigated by single crystal X-ray crystallography.