Ir(iii) complexes were found to be highly active catalysts for the hydrogen borrowing coupling of amines and alcohols.

A series of new cationic Rh(I), Rh(III) and Ir(III) complexes containing hybrid bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene–1,2,3-triazolyl donor of general formulae [Rh(CaT)(COD)]BPh4 (2a–d), [Rh(CaT)(CO)2]BPh4 (3a–d) and [M(CaT)(Cp*)Cl]BPh4 (M = Rh, 4a–d; M = Ir, 5a–c), where CaT = bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene–triazolyl ligands, COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene and Cp* = 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, were synthesised. The imidazolium–1,2,3-triazolyl pre-ligands (1a–c and 1e–i) were readily prepared using the Cu(I) catalysed ‘click reaction’ between phenyl azide or benzyl azides with propargyl functionalised imidazolium salts. The single crystal solid state structures of complexes 2a–d; 3a–b; 4a–d and 5a–b confirm the bidentate coordination of the NHC–1,2,3-triazolyl ligand with the NHC coordinating via the ‘normal’ C2-carbon and the 1,2,3-triazolyl donor coordinating via the N3′ atom to form six membered metallocycles. These complexes are the first examples of Rh and Ir complexes containing the hybrid NHC–1,2,3-triazolyl ligands which exhibit a bidentate coordination mode. A number of these complexes showed limited efficiency as catalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of 4-pentyn-1-amine to 2-methylpyrroline.

Rhodium(I) complexes were explored as catalysts for the hydrogen borrowing reactions of amines and alcohols. Bidentate carbene-triazole ligands were readily synthesized via "click" reactions which allowed a diversity of ligand backbones to be accessed. The catalytic transformations are highly efficient, able to reach completion in under 6 h, and promote C-N bond formation across a range of primary alcohol and amine substrates. Moreover, site-selective catalysis can be achieved using substrates with more than one reactive site. A rhodium(I) complex covalently attached to a carbon black surface was also deployed in the hydrogen borrowing coupling reaction of aniline with benzyl alcohol. This represents the first report of a heterogeneous rhodium catalyst used for hydrogen borrowing.