Preparation and Reactions of Methyl Iridium Complexes in Water

Reactions of methylating agents, MeI and Me 3 OBF 4 , with trans -Ir(CO)(Cl)(TPPTS) 2 (TPPTS=P( m -C 6 H 4 SO 3 Na) 3 ) are examined in H 2 O and DMSO. Three products are observed with MeI in water, Ir(CO)(Cl)(I)(Me)(TPPTS) 2 , Ir(CO)(Cl)(Me)(H 2 O)(TPPTS) 2 + and Ir(CO)(I)(Me)(H 2 O)(TPPTS) 2 + ; reactions in the presence of excess Cl m and I m form Ir(CO)(Cl) 2 (Me)(TPPTS) 2 and Ir(CO)(I) 2 (Me)(TPPTS) 2 , respectively. Reaction of trimethyloxonium + with trans -Ir(CO)(CI)(TPPTS) 2 produced only Ir(CO)(Cl)(Me)(H 2 O)(TPPTS) 2 + . None of the methyl compounds underwent hydrolysis or carbonylation.