Syntheses and crystal structures of the first iridium complexes with m- and p-terphenyl (tp).: {[Ir2(p-tp)(cod)2](BF4)2 • 2CH2Cl2}3 and [Ir(m-tp)(η5-C5Me5)](BF4)2

Novel two iridium terphenyl complexes were prepared and their structures were characterized crystallographically. The reaction of [Ir(cod)(2)]BF4 with p-terphenyl (p-tp) in CH2C2, was carried out to afford dinuclear Ir(I) complex {[Ir-2(p-tp)(cod)(2)](BF4)(2) (.) 2CH(2)Cl(2)}(3) (cod = 1, 5-cyclooctadiene) (1 (.) 2CH(2)Cl(2)), whereas the reaction of the intermediate [Ir(eta(5)-C5Me5)(MeCO)(3)](3+) in Me2CO with m-terphenyl (m-tp) was done to provide mononuclear Ir(III) complex [Ir(m-tp)(eta(5)-C5Me5)](BF4)(2) (2). In complex 1 (.) 2CH(2)Cl(2) two Ir atoms are eta(6)-coordinated to both sides of terminal benzene rings from the upper and lower sides in the p-tp ligand, while one Ir atom is eta(6)-coordinated to one side of the terminal benzene ring in the m-tp ligand in complex 2. Each crystal structure describes the first coordination mode found in metal complexes with the m- and p-tp ligands. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.