Synthesis, structure and reactivity of [Ir(dippe)(μ-Cl]2, [Ir(dippe)2][Ir(dippe)Cl2] and [Ir(dippe)2]Cl

[Ir(COD)(mu-Cl)](2) reacts with two equivalents of 1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ethane (dippe) to produce [Ir(dippe)(mu-Cl)](2) (1a) in yields that are dependent upon the solvent. Its single crystal X-ray structure shows a hinge angle theta of 132.2degrees, which is larger than in other reported iridium analogs, but smaller than in [Rh(dippe)(mu-Cl)](2) (1b). [Ir(dippe)(2)][Ir(dippe)Cl-2] (2), whose anion is without literature precedent, is an intermediate species in the conversion of 1a to [Ir(dippe)(2)]Cl (3). Complex 3 reacts with dihydrogen to produce [Ir(dippe)(2)H-2]Cl (4). (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.