Photooxidative Dehydrogenation of Chiral Ir (III) Amino Acid Complexes Based on [Λ-Ir(ppy)2(MeCN)2](PF6)

Octahedral chiral-at-metal Ir(III) complexes exhibit excellent structural stability and stereoselectivity in asymmetric synthesis. Selectively oxidative dehydrogenation of amino acids could be achieved by exploiting such as chiral templates. The obtaining stable imine can then utilized nucleophilic additions to generate corresponding amine compounds. In this study, a conveniently synthesized [Λ-Ir(ppy)2(MeCN)2](PF6) complex (ppy is 2-phenylpyridine) was template. A series acid Λ-[Ir(ppy)2(D/L-AA)] (AA acid) were prepared high yield optical purity. above oxidized their imino Λ-[Ir(ppy)2(AA-2H)] under visible light. All these exhibited selectivity during the process without formation C-N bond coupling byproducts. photooxidative rates studied, which show that D-configured faster when using Λ-configured template substitution electron-donating or bulky groups N-α position decreased rates. crystal structures Λ-Ir(ppy)2(D-Thr) (Thr threonine) its dehydrogenated Λ-Ir(ppy)2(Thr-2H) indicate configuration metal center throughout process.