LAUSR

A series of dinuclear iridium polyhydride complexes bearing BINAP ligands were synthesized and characterized for use as photocatalysts. The UV–vis absorption spectra of theses complexes exhibit absorption bands that extend to the low-energy region. These complexes show catalytic activities toward the hydrogenation of 1-hexene under photoirradiation conditions (λ 395 nm), suggesting that the catalysts are activated by light. By exposure of an acetone solution of a complex to a D2 atmosphere, an H–D exchange reaction occurred promptly on irradiation, while this exchange was sluggish in the dark.