Phosphorescent Iridium(III) Complexes with Acyclic Diaminocarbene Ligands as Chemosensors for Mercury.

A new application for bis(cyclometalated) iridium(III) species containing ancillary acyclic diaminocarbene ligands, viz. for sensing of mercury(II) ions, is disclosed. A family of bis(cyclometalated) iridium(III) species supported by both parent isocyanide and acyclic diaminocarbene ligands was prepared, and their electrochemical and photophysical properties were evaluated, revealing efficient blue-green phosphorescence in solution with quantum yields of up to 55%.

Cleavage of acyclic diaminocarbene ligands at an iridium(iii) center. Recognition of a new reactivity mode for carbene ligands.

Reaction of [Ir(μ-Cl)(ppy)] (1) with 4 equivs of CNCHX (X = F 2a, Cl 2b, Br 2c, I 2d) in the presence of 2 equivs of AgOTf in dichloromethane at 20-25 °C furnished the bisisocyanide complexes [Ir(ppy)(CNCHX)](OTf) ([3a-d](OTf); 72-87%). Reaction of [3a-d](OTf) with an excess of gaseous ammonia at room temperature gave the bisdiaminocarbene species [Ir(ppy){C(NH)NHCHX}](OTf) [5a-d](OTf) (73-83%); the two-step addition proceeds through an intermediate formation of appropriate monocarbene complexes [4a-d](OTf). Further reaction of [5a-d](OTf) with an excess of gaseous ammonia at 50 °C led to the cleavage of one diaminocarbene ligand to the cyanide ligand in [Ir(ppy)(CN){C(NH)NHCHX}] (6a-d) and this transformation is accompanied with the elimination of a substituted aniline.