Intramolecular activation of a N-methyl C–H bond by an electron rich iridium centre a novel chemoselective reduction catalyst

The iridium complex {H2[graphic omitted]H2Me][(P)–NMe2]}[(P)–NMe2=o-(diphenylphosphino)-N,N-dimethyl aniline] formed by intramolecular C-H oxidative addition, as shown by X-ray analysis, behaves as a chemoselective catalyst in hydrogen transfer reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones to unsaturated alcohols.