Electrostatic potential surfaces for complexes 2, 4, 7, 8, and 11–13 (calculated at the PBE0/Lanl2DZ/6-31+G**
level), where
the EPSs are shown both in space (with positive and negative regions
in blue and red, respectively) and mapped on electron density (isovalue
0.04) of the molecules. The electrostatic potential is represented
with a color scale ranging from red (−0.040 au) to blue (+0.250
au). Note the more negative charge distribution on the phenyl ring
of the 2-PhPy chelating ligand compared with the pyridyl ring. The
substituents affect markedly only the electronic charge density on
the chelating ligand, leaving the iridium center, Cp*, and chlorido
ligands relatively unaffected.