CO2 hydrogenation by phosphorus–nitrogen PN3P-pincer iridium hydride complexes: elucidation of the deactivation pathway†
Abstract
PN3P–Ir pincer hydride complexes were synthesized and characterized as catalysts and key intermediates in the direct hydrogenation of CO2 to formate under mild conditions. The formation of a dearomatized PN3P*–Ir(I)–CO species was identified as a plausible key process accountable for the loss of catalytic activity in the CO2 hydrogenation.