Ruthenium(II) and iridium(III) complexes featuring NHC-sulfonate chelate.

Three new complexes bearing a chelating (κ(2)C,O) NHC-SO3 ligand have been prepared. An original method for the synthesis of the imidazolium-sulfonate NHC precursor is described. The 5-membered ruthena- and irida-cycle containing complexes were fully characterized and evaluated in a series of catalytic transformations involving hydrogen auto-transfer processes.