Auto-Tandem Catalyst: From Allylic Alcohols to Secondary Alcohols via Redox Isomerization/Atmospheric Hydrogenation in Water Catalyzed by a Water-Soluble Iridium Complex Bearing a Functional Ligand.

A water-soluble iridium complex [Cp*Ir(6,6'-(OH)2-2,2'-bpy)(H2O)][OTf]2 was found to be an efficient autotandem catalyst for the synthesis of secondary alcohols via redox isomerization/atmospheric hydrogenation in water. The OH groups in the bpy ligand are a key factor for the activity of the catalyst. Then, the mechanistic experiments and the practical utilization of the catalytic system were presented.