Metalloenzyme‐Inspired Catalysis: Selective Oxidation of Primary Alcohols with an Iridium–Aminyl‐Radical Complex

Abstract

A little goes a long way: An iridium–nitrogen-radical complex is a highly active and selective catalyst for the dehydrogenation (oxidation) of primary alcohols to aldehydes in the presence of the oxidant benzoquinone (see simplified scheme). With only 0.01 mol % of the complex, turnover frequencies of up to 150 000 s−1 are reached.