Theoretical investigation on the mechanisms of transfer hydrogenation of ketones catalyzed by iridium complexes

The detailed catalytic mechanisms on transfer hydrogenation of ketones are explored by employing the representative reaction of 3-pentanone and 2-propanol catalyzed by the model complex IrH3[(Me2PC2H4)2NH], derived from the catalyst IrH3[(iPr2PC2H4)2NH], with the aid of the density functional theory calculations. The geometrical transformation from an octahedron to a Y-type involved in the catalytic cycle is also elucidated in terms of molecular theory of transition metal complexes. The trend for the variation of Ir–N bond distance is also analyzed.