Determination of N-Heterocyclic Carbene [NHC] Steric and electronic parameters using the [(NHC)Ir(CO)₂Cl] system

Complexes of iridium bearing NHC (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands were synthesized and fully characterized. The series [(NHC)Ir(cod)Cl] were obtained by simple cleavage of [Ir(cod)Cl](2). The [(NHC)Ir(cod)Cl] complexes were reacted with excess carbon monoxide, leading to [(NHC)Ir(CO)(2)Cl]. The infrared carbonyl stretching frequencies of these were recorded to quantify the electronic parameter of NHC ligands. X-ray diffraction study results allow for determination of NHC steric parameters within this series. These data allow for comparison with other ligand families.