Catalytic dehydrogenation of cyclooctane with neutral iridium(I) complexes

A series of new 1,5-cyclooctadiene iridium(I) complexes with chelating ligands has been synthesized. The ligands are naphthoxyimines, carboxylates and alcoholates. The complexes catalyze the homogeneous dehydrogenation of cyclooctane to give cyclooctene and hydrogen without an external hydrogen acceptor up to rates of 75 turnovers. The catalysts are active for at least 48 h at a temperature of 300 °C. The ligand structure has an influence on the activity and selectivity of the corresponding catalysts.