The complexes trans-[OsCl2(L){(S,S)-(i)Pr-pybox}] ((S,S)-(i)Pr-pybox = 2,6-bis[4'-(S)-isopropyloxazolin-2'-yl]pyridine, L = P(OMe)3 (1a), P(OEt)3 (2a), P(O(i)Pr)3 (3a), P(OPh)3 (4a), and cis-[OsCl2(L){(S,S)-(i)Pr-pybox}] (L = PPh3 (5a), P(i)Pr3 (6a), and PCy3 (7a)) have been synthesized from the complex trans-[OsCl2(η(2)-C2H4){(S,S)-(i)Pr-pybox}] via substitution of ethylene by phosphites and phosphines, respectively, under toluene reflux conditions. On the other hand, the synthesis of the complexes trans-[OsCl2(L){(R,R)-Ph-pybox}] (L = P(OMe)3 (1b) and cis-[OsCl2(L){(R,R)-Ph-pybox}] (L = PPh3 (5b), P(i)Pr3 (6b), and PCy3 (7b)) has been achieved from the complex trans-[OsCl2(η(2)-C2H4){(R,R)-Ph-pybox}] ((R,R)-Ph-pybox = 2,6-bis[4'-(R)-phenyloxazolin-2'-yl]pyridine under microwave irradiation. Complexes 1a-6a, 1b, 5b, and 6b have been assayed as catalysts for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of ketones. Among the catalysts tested, the (i)Pr-pybox complexes trans-[OsCl2(L){(S,S)-(i)Pr-pybox}] (L = P(OMe)3 (1a), P(OEt)3 (2a), P(O(i)Pr)3 (3a), P(OPh)3 (4a)) have proven to be the most active catalysts for the reduction of a variety of aromatic ketones as nearly complete conversion and high enantioselectivity (up to 94%) are reached.

The synthesis of a novel pyridine diphosphite ligand 1 has been described. From this ligand, rhodium– and iridium–chlorido complexes of formula [MCl(1)] (M = Rh, Ir) have been prepared. Chloride abstraction by treatment with NaBPh4 and a phosphane produced the corresponding cationic phosphane derivatives [M(1)L][BPh4] [L = PPh3 (Rh, Ir), PPh2Me (Ir)]. The analogous reaction of [RhCl(1)] with CNXy (Xy = 2,6‐Me2‐C6H3) and NaBPh4 yielded the monosubstituted complex [Rh(1)(CNXy)][BPh4], whereas the reaction between [IrCl(1)] and isonitriles led to the disubstituted complexes [Ir(1)(L)2][BPh4] (L = CNBn, CNCy). Ethylene compound [Rh(1)(C2H4)][BPh4] was obtained from the reaction of [RhCl(1)] with NaBPh4 under ethylene, whereas [Ir(1)(C2H4)][BPh4] was synthesized by a treatment of [{IrCl(COE)2}2] with ethylene followed by addition of 1 and NaBPh4. An IR analysis of the isocyanide complexes indicates a very poor π‐donor ability of the [M(1)]+ fragment, therefore the isocyanide metal bond is mostly due to σ donation from the isocyanide. Characterization by X‐ray crystallography of [Rh(1)(PPh3)][BPh4], [Rh(1)(MeCN)][BPh4] and [Ir(1)(PPh2Me)][BPh4] displays a square‐planar structure with ligand 1 coordinated in a pincer fashion for these complexes. In addition, the ethylene derivative [Rh(1)(C2H4)][BPh4] shows a near in‐plane conformation of the ethylene ligand, with a short C–C distance (1.319 Å). Moreover, in all the structures, the diphosphite ligand exhibits a meso conformation irrespective of the size of the neutral ancillary ligand. An examination of the behaviour of some of these complexes in catalytic hydrogenation has shown that [IrCl(1)] is an active catalyst in the reduction of 2‐methylquinoline and 2‐methylquinoxaline.

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The reaction of the complex [Ir(η2-C2H4){κ3 N,N,N-(S,S)- i Pr-pybox)}][PF6] (1) with methyl propynoate in acetonitrile yields the new complex 2 with complete selectivity. In the presence of NaCl, the reaction of 1 with propynoate esters in acetonitrile affords complexes 3a,b. The addition of methanol to complex 3a affords complex 4, whose structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.

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