A series of iridium and rhodium complexes have been synthesized using as ligand a triazenide monofunctionalized with an imidazole substituent. Steric hindrance at the imidazole moiety induced differences in the coordination modes as well in the catalytic behavior of complexes 4−7. Complexes 4−7 were tested in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone and 5-alken-2-ones. The hydrogenation of either the double bond or the carbonyl group in 5-alken-2-ones, showed to be selective in the presence of 6, 7, and 10 and has a dependence on the presence or absence of base. Control experiments point out that the imidazole moiety in the structure of complexes 4−7 speeds-up the catalysis.

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