Dedicated to Professor Steven V. Ley, with much gratitude and respect, on the occasion of his 70th birthday
Abstract
Iridium(I) complexes of the type [(cod)Ir(NHC)(Py)]PF6 have been exposed as efficient catalysts in the area of hydrogen-isotope exchange. More specifically, by an ortho-directed C–H activation process, high levels of deuterium incorporation have been achieved using low levels of catalyst over a range of functionalised aromatic compounds. Additionally, the developed protocol has been extended to include a selected pharmacological target, where chemoselective labelling is observed within such a multifunctional substrate.
Key words
iridium - C–H activation - hydrogen-isotope exchange - deuteration