Journal ArticleAn ambient pressure, direct hydrogenation of ketonesZhang, Long; Lu, Zhiyao; Rander, Andrew R.; Williams, Travis J.We report two bifunctional (pyridyl)carbene-iridium( i ) complexes that catalyze ketone and aldehyde hydrogenation at ambient pressure. Aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl groups are demonstrated, and mechanistic studies reveal an unusual polarization effect in which the rate is dependant of proton, rather than hydride, transfer. This method introduces a convenient, waste-free alternative to traditional borohydride and aluminum hydride reagents.2023-06-2710434757Chemical Communications59528107 to 81101359-7345https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC01014G1856395; 2018740National Science Foundation