FORMATION OF 2-THIENYL DERIVATIVES DURING THE THERMAL-ACTIVATION OF THIOPHENE BY TP-ASTERISK-IR(C2H4)(2)

The reaction of thiophene with [TpIr(C2H4)(2)] (Tp*=hydrotris(3,5-dim ethylpyrazolyl)borate ligand) at 60 degrees C results in the incorpora tion of three molecules of the heterocycle, two in the form of 2-thien yl fragments and the third S-coordinated to the Ir atom in its intact form, e.g. [TpIr(2-thienyl)(2)(SC4H4)] 2. The reactions of 2 with PMe (3), CO and H-2 have been investigated. The molecular structure of the binuclear hydride {[TpIr(H)](2)(mu-H)(mu-S,C-SC4H3)} 6 has been dete rmined by X-ray studies.