NHC-based multifunctional catalysts of Ru, Ir and Rh in C-H bond activation processes

During the last decade, our group of research has developed new synthetic strategies for the preparation of NHC-based homogeneous catalysts with novel stereoelectronic properties. Within this context, this work is focused on the synthesis and characterization of new metallic complexes containing different N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, the study of their reactivity and the exploration of their catalytic properties. A set of simple `Ru(¿6-arene)(NHC)¿ and `IrCp*(NHC) complexes with different NHC ligands (imidazolylidene, pyrazolylidene and triazolylidene) have been prepared. The new Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes have been tested in several catalytic C-H bond activation processes, especially regarding reactions through a borrowing-hydrogen mechanism and functionalization of arenes. The main goal is to perform the catalytic reactions under the `greenest¿ possible conditions, thus using non-toxic solvents under the highest atom-economic conditions and minimum waste of energy. Two different classes of bis-NHC ligands coordinated to Ir(I) and Rh(I) metal centers have been described in this chapter. The first methodology used provides an alternative to the use of the traditional azolium salts. The double C(sp3)-H2 dehydrogenation of a saturated heterocycle is a novel and interesting way to obtain complexes containing different architectures