Silyl–pyridine–amine pincer-ligated iridium complexes for catalytic silane deuteration <i>via</i> room temperature C–D bond activation of benzene-<i>d</i>₆

Abstract

Iridium-hydrido complexes bearing a hemilabile silyl-pyridine-amine pincer ligand were synthesised. They were found to catalyse Si-H deuteration of trialkylsilanes with excess benzene-d6 in 99-94% conversion at room temperature through C-D bond activation and H/D exchange.