Synthesis and characterization of the sterically hindered iridium(III)–silyl complex: (Et3P)3(H)2Ir[Si(H)Cl(C6H3-Mes2-2,6)] and the generation of the cationic iridium(III)-silylene complex: [(Et3P)3(H)2IrSi(H)(C6H3-Mes2-2,6)][B(C6F5)4]

The oxidative addition reaction of (Et3P)3IrCl with H3Si(C6H3-Mes2-2,6) (Mes=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) affords the sterically hindered iridium(III)–silyl complex (Et3P)3(H)2Ir[Si(H)Cl(C6H3-Mes2-2,6)] (1) via a H/Cl exchange reaction at silicon. Complex 1 is characterized by 1H-, 13C-, 31P-, and 29Si-NMR and IR spectroscopy. The solid state structure of 1 is determined by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 undergoes a halide abstraction reaction with LiB(C6F5)4(OEt2) to afford the cationic iridium(III)–silylene complex [(Et3P)3(H)2IrSi(H)(C6H3-Mes2-2,6)][B(C6F5)4] (4). Complex 4 is characterized by 1H-, 13C-, 31P-, and 29Si-NMR spectroscopy.