Abstract A series of new iridium (III) complexes containing bidentate N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) functionalized with an alcohol or ether group (NHC [BOND] OR, R= H, Me) were prepared. The complexes catalyzed the alkylation of anilines with alcohols as latent electrophiles. In particular, biscationic Ir III complexes of the type [Cp*(NHC-OH) Ir (MeCN)] 2+ 2 [BF 4−] afforded higher-order amine products with very high efficiency; up to> 99% ...
