Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and X-Ray crystal structure of [HP-i-Pr3]2 [IrCl6] (1) , [HP-i-Pr3]2 [Ir2Cl8(P-i-Pr3)] (2) and [HP-i-Pr3]2 [Ir2Cl7(P-i-Pr3)2] (3) : three possible precursors of the complex Ir(H)(Cl)2 (P-i-Pr3)2 (4)

A possible reaction route for Ir(H) (Cl)(2)(P-i-Pr-3)(3) (4) is proposed. The complexes [HP-i-Pr-3](2)[IrCl6] (1), [HP-i-Pr-3](2)[Ir2Cl8(P-i-Pr-3)] (2) and [HP-i-Pr-3] [Ir2Cl7(P-i-Pr-3)(2)] (3) were investigated. It is shown that 1, 2 and 3 are possible intermediates in the synthesis of 4. Crystallographic data are as follows: for 1 (at 298 K),a = 9.314( 1), b = 15.415(2), c= 10.073(1) Angstrom, beta=95.38(1)degrees, space group P2(1)/n; for 2 (at 298 K), a=16.382(4), b=13.968(2), c=18.616(3) Angstrom, beta=93.62(2)degrees, space group P2(1)/c; for 3 (at 298 K), a=11.564(3), b= 12.436(3), c= 28.873(7) Angstrom, beta= 92.40(2)degrees, space group P2(1)/c. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.