A new PNP-pincer ligand 1 bearing neopentyl substituents reacted with [Ir(cod) 2 ]BF 4 to form hydridoiridacycle 3 via oxidative addition of a C-H bond of a neopentyl group to Ir Ι . Addition of π-acceptor ligands induced C-H reductiveelimination to form cationic iridium(I) complexes 5 ligated by the π-acceptor ligand. Although 3 did not give a benzene adduct, reaction of 3 with nitrobenzene or acetophenone