[IrCp*(NCMe) 2 (PPh 2 Me)][PF 6 ] 2 as Catalyst for the Meyer–Schuster Rearrangement of Arylpropargylic Alcohols under Mild Conditions

Abstract

The novel iridium complex [IrCp*(NCMe)2(PPh2Me)][PF6]2 (I) efficiently catalyzed the Meyer–Schuster rearrangement of selected arylpropargylic alcohols into α,β-unsaturated aldehydes under mild conditions and without the need of a co-catalyst. A mechanism involving a (hydroxy)alkenylcarbene intermediate is proposed.