CageCarbene‐Ir Complex Enables Selective Alkylation and Alkenylation of Benzyl Alcohols with Alkyl Sulfones

Comprehensive Summary A bis‐carbene iridium catalyst with a unique structure, featuring a straightforward synthetic route and low‐cost ligands was developed. This catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity in the Julia‐type olefination reactions between sulfone compounds and benzyl alcohol derivatives, with catalyst loading reduced to as low as 0.5 mol%. Furthermore, by adjusting the reaction conditions, the resultant olefinic products can be further reduced in a single step to afford the corresponding alkane compounds. This study also explores the reaction mechanism, proposing a plausible catalytic cycle based on a series of control experiments.