ABSTRACT: For the first time chemical-exchange saturation transfer (CEST) H NMR is utilized for the study of short-lived hydride intermediates in the catalytic cycle of the Iridium-based organometallic complex [Ir(IMes)(Py)3(H)2]Cl, which are often not observable by other NMR techniques, since they are low concentrated, and undergo reversible ligand exchange with the main complex.