Iridium–PNP Pincer Complexes for Methanol Dehydrogenation at Low Base Concentration

A catalytic system based on an iridium–PNP complex was developed for the aqueous‐phase reforming of methanol. Investigations revealed higher activity at low base concentrations and higher stability at high base concentrations as an opposing trend relative to that of known Ru and Fe PNP‐pincer‐containing systems for methanol dehydrogenation. During mechanistic investigations it was possible to identify a CO containing derivate of the deactivation species. Pinch hit: A catalytic system based on an iridium–PNP complex is developed for the aqueous‐phase reforming of methanol. Investigations reveal higher activity at low base concentrations and higher stability at high base concentrations as an opposing trend relative to that of known Ru and Fe PNP‐pincer‐containing systems for methanol dehydrogenation.