General, Simple, and Chemoselective Catalysts for the Isomerization of Allylic Alcohols: The Importance of the Halide Ligand.

ABSTRACT

Remarkably simple IrIII catalysts enable the isomerization of primary and sec-allylic alcohols under very mild reaction conditions. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and mass spectrometry (MS) studies indicate that the catalysts, with the general formula [Cp*IrIII ], require a halide ligand for catalytic activity, but no additives or additional ligands are needed.