Synthesis and Structures of RhI and IrI Complexes Supported by N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Phosphinidene Adducts

N‐Heterocyclic carbene‐phosphinidene adducts of the type (IDipp)PR [R = Ph ( 5 ), SiMe₃ ( 6 ); IDipp = 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene] were used as ligands for the preparation of rhodium(I) and iridium(I) complexes. Treatment of (IDipp)PPh ( 5 ) with the dimeric complexes [M(μ‐Cl)(COD)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir; COD = 1,5‐cyclcooctadiene) afforded the corresponding metal(I) complexes [M(COD)Cl{(IDipp)PPh}] [M = Rh ( 7 ) or Ir ( 8 )] in moderate to good yields. The reaction of (IDipp)PSiMe₃ ( 6 ) with [Ir(μ‐Cl)(COD)]₂ did not yield trimethylsilyl chloride elimination product, but furnished the 1:1 complex, [Ir(COD)Cl{(IDipp)PSiMe₃}] ( 9 ). Additionally, the rhodium‐COD complex 7 was converted into the corresponding rhodium‐carbonyl complex [Rh(CO)₂Cl{(IDipp)PPh}] ( 10 ) by reaction with an excess of carbon monoxide gas. All complexes were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, microanalyses, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.     

Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes of triphenylphosphine chalcogenides and their catalytic activity

Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes [Rh(CO)₂ClL] where L = Ph₃PO, Ph₃PS and Ph₃PSe, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, i.r. and by ¹H-, ¹³C- and ³¹P-n.m.r. spectroscopy. The vBD;(CO) band frequencies in the complexes follow the order: Ph₃PO > Ph₃PS > Ph₃PSe, in keeping with the hard/soft nature of the interactions. The complexes undergo oxidative additions with electrophiles such as MeI, PhCH₂Cl and I₂ to give, e.g. [Rh(CO)(COMe)ClIL] which react with PPh₃ to give trans-[Rh(CO)Cl(PPh₃)₂]. The catalytic activity of the [Rh(CO)₂ClL] complexes in carbonylation of MeOH is higher than that of the well-known [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ species. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes of ether‐phosphine ligands and their reactivity

The reactions of dimeric complex [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ with hemilabile ether‐phosphine ligands Ph₂P(CH₂) _nOR [n = 1, R = CH₃ (a); n = 2, R = C₂H₅ (b)] yield cis‐[Rh(CO)₂Cl(P ～ O)] (1) [P ～ O = η ¹‐(P) coordinated]. Halide abstraction reactions of 1 with AgClO₄ produce cis‐[Rh(CO)₂(P ∩ O)]ClO₄ (2) [P ∩ O = η ²‐(P,O)chelated]. Oxidative addition reactions of 1 with CH₃I and I₂ give rhodium(III) complexes [Rh(CO)(COCH₃)ClI(P ∩ O)] (3) and [Rh(CO)ClI₂(P ∩ O)] (4) respectively. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of 1 for carbonylation of methanol is higher than that of the well‐known [Rh(CO)₂I₂]^? species. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel isolated,L‐amino acid‐ligated rhodium catalysts that induce highly helix‐sense‐selective polymerization of an achiral 3,4,5‐trisubstituted phenylacetylene

Two novel chiral well‐defined rhodium complexes, Rh(cod)(L‐Phe) (cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene, Phe = phenylalanine) and Rh(cod)(L‐Val) (Val = valine) were synthesized, isolated by recrystallization, and characterized. The helix‐sense‐selective polymerization (HSSP) of an achiral 3,4,5‐trisubstituted phenylacetylene, p‐dodecyloxy‐m,m‐dihydroxyphenylacetylene (DoDHPA) was examined by using the two Rh complexes as catalysts. These catalysts provided high molecular weight polymers (M_w 28 × 10⁴?45 × 10⁴) in about 40%–85% yields. The resulting polymers exhibited a bisignated CD signal at about 300 nm and a broad signal around 470 nm, indicating that they have preferential one‐handed helical structure. The present catalysts achieved larger molar ellipticity up to [θ]₃₁₀ = 13.0 × 10⁴ deg cm²/dmol than those with binary chiral catalytic systems, [Rh(cod)Cl]₂/(L‐phenylalaninol), [Rh(cod)Cl]₂/(L‐valinol), and [Rh(nbd)Cl]₂/(R)‐PEA. All these results manifest that the present, well‐defined Rh complexes serve as excellent catalysts for the HSSP of DoDHPA. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2346–2351     

Dirhodium(II) dicarboxylato complexes containing carbonyl and C-bonded methoxycarbonyl ligands

Oxidation of rhodium(I) carbonyl chloride, [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂, with copper(II) acetate or isobutyrate in methanol solutions yields binuclear double carboxylato bridged rhodium(II) complexes with RhRh bonds, [Rh(μ-OOCRκO)(COOMeκC)(CO)(MeOH)]₂, where R=CH₃ or i-C₃H₇. According to X-ray data, surrounding of each rhodium atom in these complexes is close to octahedral and consists of another rhodium atom, two oxygens of carboxylato ligands, terminal carbonyl group, C-bonded methoxycarbonyl ligand, and axial CH₃OH. Methoxycarbonyl ligand is shown to originate from CO group of the parent [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ and OCH₃ group of solvent. N- and P-donor ligands L (p-CH₃C₆H₄NH₂, P(OPh)₃, PPh₃, PCy₃) readily replace the axial MeOH yielding [Rh(μ-OOCRκO)(COOMeκC)(CO)(L)]₂. The X-ray data for the complex with R=i-C₃H₇, L=PPh₃ showed the same molecular outline as with L=MeOH. Electronic effects of axial ligands L on the spectral parameters of terminal carbonyl group are essentially the same as in the known series of rhodium(I) complexes (an increase of δ¹³C and a decrease of ν(CO) with strengthening of σ-donor and weakening of π-acceptor ability of L).     

Neue Rhodium(I)‐Komplexe mit Donor/Akzeptor‐Chelatliganden

Alternative Ligands. XXXVI. Novel Rhodium(I) Complexes with Donor/Acceptor Chelating Ligands In order to generate metal base/Lewis‐acid interactions in rhodium(I) phosphane complexes the binuclear complex [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ was reacted in benzene with dipod ligands of the type R₂M′(OCH₂PMe₂)_x(CH₂CH₂PMe₂)_2–x (R = F, Me; M′ = Si, Ge; x = 0–2) using the Ziegler dilution principle with the aim to produce mononuclear compounds in which with formation of five‐membered chelate rings in principle Rh → M′ contacts are possible. The reactions of ligands 1 – 7 (Table 1) with [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ proceed under CO elimination and, in spite of large turnovers, lead to a variety of products 8 – 14 (Table 1), in case of 11 , 13 and 14 accompanied by degradation of the corresponding ligands. Intact ligands are present in the 16‐membered rings of the binuclear complexes 8 – 10 and 12 , for which, due to the molecular structure, Rh → M′ interactions can be excluded. In the reaction of Me₂Si(OCH₂PMe₂)₂ ( 4 ) with [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ the unusual binuclear system 11 with a central Rh₂O₂ four‐membered ring and two RhO(SiMe₂OCH₂PMe₂) six‐membered rings is formed. Small amounts of the mononuclear compounds Rh(CO)Cl(Me₂PCH₂OH)₂ ( 13 ) and Rh(CO)Cl₃(Me₂PCH₂OH)₂ ( 14 ), respectively, are obtained in crystalline form from the reaction mixtures of [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ with Me₂Ge(OCH₂PMe₂)(CH₂CH₂PMe₂) ( 6 ) or Me₂Ge(OCH₂PMe₂)₂ ( 7 ). The new complexes were characterized by analytic (C, H), spectroscopic (NMR, IR, MS) and, except for 12 , by single crystal structural analyses.     

Diminished electron density in the Vaska‐type rhodium(I) complex trans‐[Rh(NCBH3)(CO)(PPh3)2]

Vaska‐type complexes, i.e. trans‐[RhX(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (X is a halogen or pseudohalogen), undergo a range of reactions and exhibit considerable catalytic activity. The electron density on the Rh^I atom in these complexes plays an important role in their reactivity. Many cyanotrihydridoborate (BH₃CN⁻) complexes of Group 6–8 transition metals have been synthesized and structurally characterized, an exception being the rhodium(I) complex. Carbonyl(cyanotrihydridoborato‐κN)bis(triphenylphosphine‐κP)rhodium(I), [Rh(NCBH₃)(CO)(C₁₈H₁₅P)₂], was prepared by the metathesis reaction of sodium cyanotrihydridoborate with trans‐[RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂], and was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy. The X‐ray diffraction data indicate that the cyanotrihydridoborate ligand coordinates to the Rh^I atom through the N atom in a trans position with respect to the carbonyl ligand; this was also confirmed by the IR and NMR data. The carbonyl stretching frequency ν(CO) and the carbonyl carbon ¹J_C–Rh and ¹J_C–P coupling constants of the C_ipso atoms of the triphenylphosphine groups reflect the diminished electron density on the central Rh^I atom compared to the parent trans‐[RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] complex.     

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Hetero‐Bischelated Complexes of Rhodium(III) Containing Phenyl‐Pyridin‐2‐Ylmethylene‐Amine

Three new hetero‐bischelated rhodium (III) complexes of cis‐[Rh(PA)(L)Cl₂]Cl (where PA = phenylpyridin‐2‐ylmethylene‐amine; L = 2,2′‐bipyridine, 2,2′‐dipyridylamine and 1,10‐phenanthroline) have been successfully prepared and characterized. Each complex shows high intensity bands in the UV region, and these are assigned to spin‐allowed π‐π* transitions. The medium‐intensity absorption band profile in the lower energy region can be explained by convolution of spin‐allowed CT and d‐d* transitions. The emission spectra at low temperature (77 K) of these complexes in EtOH/MeOH (4:1 v/v) are virtually identical. They all exhibit a broad, symmetric, and structureless red emission with a microsecond lifetime and hence are assigned as the d‐d* phosphorescence.     

Carbonylrhodium complexes of pyridine ligands and their catalytic activity towards carbonylation of methanol

The cis‐[Rh(CO)₂ClL] (1) complexes, where L = 2‐methylpyridine (a), 3‐methylpyridine (b), 4‐methylpyridine (c), 2‐phenylpyridine (d), 3‐phenylpyridine (e), 4‐phenylpyridine (f), undergo oxidative addition reactions with various electrophiles, like CH₃I, C₂H₅I, C₆H₅CH₂Cl or I₂, to yield complexes of the types [Rh(CO)(COR)ClXL] (2) (where R = CH₃ (i), C₂H₅ (ii), X = I; R = C₆H₅CH₂ (iii), X = Cl) or [Rh(CO)ClI₂L] (3) and [Rh(CO)₂ClI₂L] (4). The pseudo‐first‐order rate constants of CH₃I addition with complexes 1 containing pyridine (g) and 2‐substituted pyridine (a and d) ligands were found to follow the order pyridine >2‐methylpyridine >2‐phenylpyridine. The catalytic activity of complexes 1 containing different pyridine ligands (a–g) on carbonylation of methanol was studied and, in general, a higher turnover number was obtained compared with that of the well‐known species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]^?. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemistry of transition‐metal complexes containing functionalized phosphines: synthesis and structural analysis of rhodium(I) complexes containing allyl and cyanoalkylphosphines

A series of related acetylacetonate–carbonyl–rhodium compounds substituted by functionalized phosphines has been prepared in good to excellent yields by the reaction of [Rh(acac)(CO)₂] (acac is acetylacetonate) with the corresponding allyl‐, cyanomethyl‐ or cyanoethyl‐substituted phosphines. All compounds were fully characterized by ³¹P, ¹H, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. The X‐ray structures of (acetylacetonato‐κ²O,O′)(tert‐butylphosphanedicarbonitrile‐κP)carbonylrhodium(I), [Rh(C₅H₇O₂)(CO)(C₈H₁₃N₂)] or [Rh(acac)(CO)(^tBuP(CH₂CN)₂}] ( 2b ), (acetylacetonato‐κ²O,O′)carbonyl[3‐(diphenylphosphanyl)propanenitrile‐κP]rhodium(I), [Rh(C₅H₇O₂)(C₁₅H₁₄N)(CO)] or [Rh(acac)(CO){Ph₂P(CH₂CH₂CN)}] ( 2h ), and (acetylacetonato‐κ²O,O′)carbonyl[3‐(di‐tert‐butylphosphanyl)propanenitrile‐κP]rhodium(I), [Rh(C₅H₇O₂)(C₁₁H₂₂N)(CO)] or [Rh(acac)(CO){^tBu₂P(CH₂CH₂CN)}] ( 2i ), showed a square‐planar geometry around the Rh atom with a significant trans influence over the acetylacetonate moiety, evidenced by long Rh—O bond lengths as expected for poor π‐acceptor phosphines. The Rh—P distances displayed an inverse linear dependence with the coupling constants J_P‐Rh and the IR ν(C[triple‐bond]O) bands, which accounts for the Rh—P electronic bonding feature (poor π‐acceptors) of these complexes. A combined study from density functional theory (DFT) calculations and an evaluation of the intramolecular H…Rh contacts from X‐ray diffraction data allowed a comparison of the conformational preferences of these complexes in the solid state versus the isolated compounds in the gas phase. For 2b , 2h and 2i , an energy‐framework study evidenced that the crystal structures are mainly governed by dispersive energy. In fact, strong pairwise molecular dispersive interactions are responsible for the columnar arrangement observed in these complexes. A Hirshfeld surface analysis employing three‐dimensional molecular surface contours and two‐dimensional fingerprint plots indicated that the structures are stabilized by H…H, C…H, H…O, H…N and H…Rh intermolecular interactions.     

Formation of Trinuclear Rhodium‐Hydride Complexes [{Rh(PP*)H}3‐ (μ2‐H)3(μ3‐H)][anion]2—During Asymmetric Hydrogenation?

Recently described and fully characterized trinuclear rhodium‐hydride complexes [{Rh(PP*)H}₃(μ₂‐H)₃(μ₃‐H)][anion]₂ have been investigated with respect to their formation and role under the conditions of asymmetric hydrogenation. Catalyst–substrate complexes with mac (methyl (Z)‐ N‐acetylaminocinnamate) ([Rh(tBu‐BisP*)(mac)]BF₄, [Rh(Tangphos)(mac)]BF₄, [Rh(Me‐BPE)(mac)]BF₄, [Rh(DCPE)(mac)]BF₄, [Rh(DCPB)(mac)]BF₄), as well as rhodium‐hydride species, both mono‐([Rh(Tangphos)‐ H₂(MeOH)₂]BF₄, [Rh(Me‐BPE)H₂(MeOH)₂]BF₄), and dinuclear ([{Rh(DCPE)H}₂(μ₂‐H)₃]BF₄, [{Rh(DCPB)H}₂(μ₂‐H)₃]BF₄), are described. A plausible reaction sequence for the formation of the trinuclear rhodium‐hydride complexes is discussed. Evidence is provided that the presence of multinuclear rhodium‐hydride complexes should be taken into account when discussing the mechanism of rhodium‐promoted asymmetric hydrogenation.     

Dicarbonyldi‐μ‐chloro‐cis,cis‐η4‐1,5‐cyclo­octa­dienedirhodium(I)

The title compound, dicarbonyl‐1κ²C‐di‐μ‐chloro‐1:2κ⁴Cl‐[cis,cis‐2(η⁴)‐1,5‐cyclo­octa­diene]­di­rhodium(I), [Rh₂Cl₂(C₈H₁₂)(CO)₂], consists of a di­chloro‐bridged dimer of rhodium, with a non‐bonded Rh?Rh distance of 3.284 (2) Å. One Rh atom is coordinated to two carbonyl ligands, while the other Rh atom is coordinated to the cyclo­octa­diene moiety.     

Tandem Hydroformylation/Reductive Amination of 3‐Allyl‐2‐methylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one

The 3‐allyl‐2‐methylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one ( 1 ), a model functionalized terminal olefin, was submitted to hydroformylation and reductive amination under optimized reaction conditions. The catalytic carbonylation of 1 in the presence of Rh catalysts complexed with phosphorus ligands under different reaction conditions afforded a mixture of 2‐methyl‐4‐oxoquinazoline‐3(4H)‐butanal ( 2 ) and α,2‐dimethyl‐4‐oxoquinazoline‐3(4H)‐propanal ( 3 ) as products of ‘linear’ and ‘branched’ hydroformylation, respectively (Scheme 2). The hydroaminomethylation of quinazolinone 1 with arylhydrazine derivatives gave the expected mixture of [(arylhydrazinyl)alkyl]quinazolinones 5 and 6 , besides a small amount of 2 and 3 (Scheme 3). The tandem hydroformylation/reductive amination reaction of 1 with different amines gave the quinazolinone derivatives 7 – 10 . Compound 10 was used to prepare the chalcones 11a and 11b and pyrazoloquinazolinones 12a and 12b (Scheme 4).     

Development of an Improved Rhodium Catalyst for Z‐Selective Anti‐Markovnikov Addition of Carboxylic Acids to Terminal Alkynes

To develop more active catalysts for the rhodium‐catalyzed addition of carboxylic acids to terminal alkynes furnishing anti‐Markovnikov Z enol esters, a thorough study of the rhodium complexes involved was performed. A number of rhodium complexes were characterized by NMR, ESI‐MS, and X‐ray analysis and applied as catalysts for the title reaction. The systematic investigations revealed that the presence of chloride ions decreased the catalyst activity. Conversely, generating and applying a mixture of two rhodium species, namely, [Rh(DPPMP)₂][H(benzoate)₂] (DPPMP=diphenylphosphinomethylpyridine) and [{Rh(COD)(μ₂‐benzoate)}₂], provided a significantly more active catalyst. Furthermore, the addition of a catalytic amount of base (Cs₂CO₃) had an additional accelerating effect. This higher catalyst activity allowed the reaction time to be reduced from 16 to 1–4 h while maintaining high selectivity. Studies on the substrate scope revealed that the new catalysts have greater functional‐group compatibility.     

Novel quasi‐scorpionate ligand structures based on a bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene chelate core: synthesis,complexation and catalysis

A series of novel quasi‐scorpionate CNC donor ligands, MeC(2‐C₅H₄N){CH₂(imidazole‐R)} (R = methyl, n‐butyl, n‐propenyl), in which a chelating bis(NHC) core is supplemented by a hemi‐labile pyridyl donor, were prepared. The coordination chemistry of these ligands was investigated with silver, palladium, rhodium and iridium. The single crystal X‐ray structures of [Rh(NC₂^Me)(COD)]Cl 8a and [Ir(NC₂^Pr)(COD)]Br 9b were determined. The catalytic potential of the rhodium and iridium complexes was assessed in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones; the iridium complexes, which show superior performance, form very effective and stable catalysts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mesoporous Rh Emerging from Nanophase‐separated Rh‐Y Alloy

Mesoporous precious metals with abundant active sites and high surface area have been widely recognized as high‐performance catalytic materials. However, the templated synthesis is complex and costly. Herein, we report a mesoporous rhodium (m‐Rh) that can be readily synthesized from entangled nanofibres of Rh and Y₂O₃ without templates. The entangled nanofibres, prepared from uniform Rh‐Y alloys under redox atmosphere, were the key precursor in the synthesis processes. Moreover, the m‐Rh efficiently catalyzed carbon dioxide reforming of methane (DRM) at a low reaction temperature of 683 K. Further, electrochemical methods of CO electro‐oxidation were innovatively used to demonstrate the stability of CO and oxygen species for the DRM reaction.     

Carbonyl(5‐nitrotropolonato‐κ2O1,O2)(tri­phenyl­phosphine‐κP)­rhodium(I)

The molecule of the title complex, [Rh(5‐NO₂trop)(C₁₈H₁₅P)(CO)] (5‐­NO₂trop is 2‐hydroxy‐5‐nitrocyclo­hepta‐2,4,6‐trienone, C₇H₄NO₄), has a distorted square‐planar geometry. Strong intramolecular and weak intermolecular hydrogen bonding is observed, with H⋯O distances of the order of 2.25 and 2.55 Å, respectively. The Rh—CO, Rh—O (trans to CO), Rh—O (trans to P) and Rh—P bond distances are 1.775 (7), 2.072 (4), 2.068 (4) and 2.2397 (17) Å, respectively, the O—Rh—O angle is 77.09 (16)° and the bidentate O—C—C—O torsion angle is 1.5 (7)°.     

Cross‐coupling reactions in water using ionic liquid‐based palladium(II)–phosphinite complexes as outstanding catalysts

Two new phosphinite ligands based on ionic liquids [(Ph₂PO)C₇H₁₄N₂Cl]Cl ( 1 ) and [(Cy₂PO)C₇H₁₄N₂Cl]Cl ( 2 ) were synthesized by reaction of 1‐(3‐chloro‐2‐hydoxypropyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride, [C₇H₁₅N₂OCl]Cl, with one equivalent of chlorodiphenylphosphine or chlorodicyclohexylphosphine, respectively, in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ and under argon atmosphere. The reactions of 1 and 2 with MCl₂(cod) (M = Pd, Pt; cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) yield complexes cis‐[M([(Ph₂PO)C₇H₁₄N₂Cl]Cl)₂Cl₂] and cis‐[M(Cy₂PO)C₇H₁₄N₂Cl]Cl)₂Cl₂], respectively. All complexes were isolated as analytically pure substances and characterized using multi‐nuclear NMR and infrared spectroscopies and elemental analysis. The catalytic activity of palladium complexes based on ionic liquid phosphinite ligands 1 and 2 was investigated in Suzuki cross‐coupling. They show outstanding catalytic activity in coupling of a series of aryl bromides or aryl iodides with phenylboronic acid under the optimized reaction conditions in water. The complexes provide turnover frequencies of 57 600 and 232 800 h^?1 in Suzuki coupling reactions of phenylboronic acid with p‐bromoacetophenone or p‐iodoacetophenone, respectively, which are the highest values ever reported among similar complexes for Suzuki coupling reactions in water as sole solvent in homogeneous catalysis. Furthermore, the palladium complexes were also found to be highly active catalysts in the Heck reaction affording trans‐stilbenes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Symmetric and dissymmetric N‐heterocyclic carbene rhodium(I) complexes: a comparative study of their catalytic activities in transfer hydrogenation reaction

Six new [RhBr(NHC)(cod)] (NHC = N‐heterocyclic carbene; cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) type rhodium complexes ( 4–6 ) have been prepared by the reaction of [Rh(μ‐OMe)(cod)]₂ with a series of corresponding imidazoli(in)ium bromides ( 1–3 ) bearing mesityl (Mes) or 2,4,6‐trimethylbenzyl (CH₂Mes) substituents at N¹ and N³ positions. They have been fully characterized by ¹ H, ¹³ C and heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation NMR analyses, elemental analysis and mass spectroscopy. Complexes of type [(NHC)RhBr(CO)₂] (NHC = imidazol‐2‐ylidene) ( 7b–9b ) were also synthesized to compare σ‐donor/π‐acceptor strength of NHC ligands. Transfer hydrogenation (TH) reaction of acetophenone has been comparatively studied by using complexes 4–6 as catalysts. The symmetrically CH₂Mes‐substituted rhodium complex bearing a saturated NHC ligand ( 5a ) showed the highest catalytic activity for TH reaction. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

3‐Rhoda‐1,2‐diazacyclopentanes: A Series of Novel Metallacycle Complexes Derived From CN Functionalization of Ethylene

Rh‐containing metallacycles, [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NR)₂‐]Cl; TPA=N,N,N,N‐tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine have been accessed through treatment of the Rh^I ethylene complex, [(TPA)Rh(η²‐CH₂CH₂)]Cl ([ 1 ]Cl) with substituted diazenes. We show this methodology to be tolerant of electron‐deficient azo compounds including azo diesters (RCO₂N?NCO₂R; R=Et [ 3 ]Cl, R=iPr [ 4 ]Cl, R=tBu [ 5 ]Cl, and R=Bn [ 6 ]Cl) and a cyclic azo diamide: 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3,5‐dione (PTAD), [ 7 ]Cl. The latter complex features two ortho‐fused ring systems and constitutes the first 3‐rhoda‐1,2‐diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane. Preliminary evidence suggests that these complexes result from N–N coordination followed by insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]?N bond. In terms of reactivity, [ 3 ]Cl and [ 4 ]Cl successfully undergo ring‐opening using p‐toluenesulfonic acid, affording the Rh chlorides, [(TPA)Rh^III(Cl)(κ¹‐(C)‐CH₂CH₂(NCO₂R)(NHCO₂R)]OTs; [ 13 ]OTs and [ 14 ]OTs. Deprotection of [ 5 ]Cl using trifluoroacetic acid was also found to give an ethyl substituted, end‐on coordinated diazene [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NH)₂‐]⁺ [ 16 ]Cl, a hitherto unreported motif. Treatment of [ 16 ]Cl with acetyl chloride resulted in the bisacetylated adduct [(TPA)Rh^III(κ²‐(C,N)‐CH₂CH₂(NAc)₂‐]⁺, [ 17 ]Cl. Treatment of [ 1 ]Cl with AcN?NAc did not give the Rh?N insertion product, but instead the N,O‐chelated complex [(TPA)Rh^I ( κ²‐(O,N)‐CH₃(CO)(NH)(N?C(CH₃)(OCH?CH₂))]Cl [ 23 ]Cl, presumably through insertion of ethylene into a [Rh]?O bond.