Oxygen-Carrying Properties of a Simple Synthetic System.

An iridium compound, chloro-carbonyl-bis(triphenylphosphine)-iridium, in solution, takes up molecular oxygen-one molecule per metal atom-which is subsequently recovered by reducing the pressure. The adduct is photosensitive but otherwise stable at ambient temperatures. It is a monomeric molecular complex and probably contains a peroxo group with both oxygens bonded to the same metal atom.