Iridium-catalyzed H/D exchange into organic compounds in water

J Am Chem Soc. 2002 Mar 13;124(10):2092-3. doi: 10.1021/ja017219d.

Abstract

The air-stable complex Cp(PMe(3))IrCl(2) efficiently catalyzes the exchange of deuterium from D(2)O into both activated and unactivated C-H bonds of organic molecules without added acid or stabilizers. Selectivity is observed in many cases, with activation of primary C-H bonds occurring preferentially. A number of new stoichiometric transformations involving the iridiym catalyst precursor are also presented, including an oxidation-decarbonylation reaction with primary alcohols.