Thermodynamics of rhodium hydride reactions with CO, aldehydes, and olefins in water: organo-rhodium porphyrin bond dissociation free energies

Tetra(p-sulfonato-phenyl) porphyrin rhodium hydride ([(TSPP)Rh-D(D2O)](-4)) (1) reacts in water (D2O) with carbon monoxide, aldehydes, and olefins to produce metallo formyl, alpha-hydroxyalkyl, and alkyl complexes, respectively. The hydride complex (1) functions as a weak acid in D2O and partially dissociates into a rhodium(I) complex ([(TSPP)Rh(I)(D2O)](-5)) and a proton (D+). Fast substrate reactions of 1 in D2O compared to reactions of rhodium porphyrin hydride ((por)Rh-H) in benzene are ascribed to aqueous media promoting formation of ions and supporting ionic reaction pathways. The regioselectivity for addition of 1 to olefins is predominantly anti-Markovnikov in acidic D2O and exclusively anti-Markovnikov in basic D2O. The range of accessible equilibrium thermodynamic measurements for rhodium hydride substrate reactions is substantially increased in water compared to that in organic media through exploiting the hydrogen ion dependence for the equilibrium distribution of species in aqueous media. Thermodynamic measurements are reported for reactions of a rhodium porphyrin hydride in water with each of the substrates, including CO, H2CO, CH3CHO, CH2=CH2, and sets of aldehydes and olefins. Reactions of rhodium porphyrin hydrides with CO and aldehydes have nearly equal free-energy changes in water and benzene, but alkene reactions that form hydrophobic alkyl groups are substantially less favorable in water than in benzene. Bond dissociation free energies in water are derived from thermodynamic results for (TSPP)Rh-organo complexes in aqueous solution for Rh-CDO, Rh-CH(R)OD, and Rh-CH2CH(D)R units and are compared with related values determined in benzene.     

Visible light promoted hydroxylation of a Si-C(sp3) bond catalyzed by rhodium porphyrins in water

Catalytic activation of an unstrained, unactivated Si-C(sp(3)) bond in water to form methane and silanol by electrophilic rhodium(III) porphyrin [(por)Rh(III)] in acidic aqueous solutions under visible light (λ ≥ 420 nm) has been developed. Activation of the Si-C(sp(3)) bond occurs through direct Si-C bond cleavage, with methyl group transfer to rhodium to give a porphyrin rhodium methyl complex. Photolysis of (por)Rh-CH(3) in water yields methyl radical and (por)Rh(II). Subsequently, (por)Rh(II) reacts with water rapidly to produce (por)Rh-H and (por)Rh-OH. (por)Rh-OH is then protonated to regenerate (por)Rh(III)-OH(2), and (por)Rh-H undergoes hydrogen atom abstraction by methyl radical to form the observed methane.     

Reactivity and equilibrium thermodynamic studies of rhodium tetrakis(3,5-disulfonatomesityl)porphyrin species with H2, CO, and olefins in water

Aqueous (D2O) solutions of tetrakis(3,5-disulfonatomesityl)porphyrin rhodium(III) aquo/hydroxo complexes ([(TMPS)Rh(III)(D2O)2]-7 (1), [(TMPS)Rh(III)(OD)(D2O)]-8 (2), and [(TMPS)Rh(III)(OD)2]-9 (3)) react with hydrogen (D2) to form an equilibrium distribution with a rhodium hydride ([(TMPS)Rh-D(D2O)]-8 (4)) and a rhodium(I) complex ([(TMPS)Rh(I)(D2O)]-9 (5)). Equilibrium constants (298 K) are measured that define the distribution for all five of these (TMPS)Rh species in this system as a function of the dihydrogen (D2) and hydrogen ion (D+) concentrations. The hydride complex [(TMPS)Rh-D(D2O)]-8 is a weak acid in D2O (Ka(298 K) = 4.3 x 10(-8)). Steric demands of the TMPS porphyrin ligand prohibit formation of a Rh(II)-Rh(II)-bonded complex, related rhodium(I)-rhodium(III) adducts, and intermolecular association of alkyl complexes which are prominent features of the rhodium tetra(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin ((TSPP)Rh) system. The rhodium(II) complex ([(TMPS)Rh(II)(D2O)]-8) reacts with water to form hydride and hydroxide complexes and is not observed in D2O. The (TMPS)Rh-OD and (TMPS)Rh-D bond dissociation free energies (BDFE) are virtually equal and have a value of approximately 60 kcal mol(-1). Reactions of [(TMPS)Rh-D(D2O)]-8 in water with CO and olefins produce rhodium formyl and alkyl complexes which have equilibrium thermodynamic values comparable to the values for the corresponding substrate reactions of [(TSPP)Rh-D(D2O)]-4.     

Superoxo, peroxo, and hydroperoxo complexes formed from reactions of rhodium porphyrins with dioxygen: thermodynamics and kinetics

Rhodium(II) porphyrin complexes react with dioxygen to form terminal superoxo and bridged mu-peroxo complexes. Equilibrium constants for dioxygen complex formation with rhodium(II) tetramesitylporphyrin ((TMP)Rh*) and a m-xylyl-tethered dirhodium(II) diporphyrin complex (*Rh(m-xylyl)Rh*) are reported. (TMP)Rh-H reacts with oxygen to form a transient hydroperoxy complex ((TMP)Rh-OOH), which reacts on to form the rhodium(II) complex ((TMP)Rh*) and water. Kinetic studies for reactions of (TMP)Rh-H with O2 suggest a near concerted addition of dioxygen to the (TMP)Rh-H unit. Reactivity studies for mixtures of H2/O2 and CH4/O2 with the dirhodium(II) complex (*Rh(m-xylyl)Rh*) are reported.     

Equilibrium thermodynamic studies in water: reactions of dihydrogen with rhodium(III) porphyrins relevant to Rh-Rh, Rh-H, and Rh-OH bond energetics

Aqueous solutions of rhodium(III) tetra p-sulfonatophenyl porphyrin ((TSPP)Rh(III)) complexes react with dihydrogen to produce equilibrium distributions between six rhodium species including rhodium hydride, rhodium(I), and rhodium(II) dimer complexes. Equilibrium thermodynamic studies (298 K) for this system establish the quantitative relationships that define the distribution of species in aqueous solution as a function of the dihydrogen and hydrogen ion concentrations through direct measurement of five equilibrium constants along with dissociation energies of D(2)O and dihydrogen in water. The hydride complex ([(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4)) is a weak acid (K(a)(298 K) = (8.0 +/- 0.5) x 10(-8)). Equilibrium constants and free energy changes for a series of reactions that could not be directly determined including homolysis reactions of the Rh(II)-Rh(II) dimer with water (D(2)O) and dihydrogen (D(2)) are derived from the directly measured equilibria. The rhodium hydride (Rh-D)(aq) and rhodium hydroxide (Rh-OD)(aq) bond dissociation free energies for [(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4) and [(TSPP)Rh-OD(D(2)O)](-4) in water are nearly equal (Rh-D = 60 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1), Rh-OD = 62 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1)). Free energy changes in aqueous media are reported for reactions that substitute hydroxide (OD(-)) (-11.9 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)), hydride (D(-)) (-54.9 kcal mol(-1)), and (TSPP)Rh(I): (-7.3 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)) for a water in [(TSPP)Rh(III)(D(2)O)(2)](-3) and for the rhodium hydride [(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4) to dissociate to produce a proton (9.7 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)), a hydrogen atom (approximately 60 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1)), and a hydride (D(-)) (54.9 kcal mol(-1)) in water.     

Formation and reactivity of a porphyrin iridium hydride in water: acid dissociation constants and equilibrium thermodynamics relevant to Ir-H, Ir-OH, and Ir-CH2- bond dissociation energetics

Aqueous solutions of group nine metal(III) (M = Co, Rh, Ir) complexes of tetra(3,5-disulfonatomesityl)porphyrin [(TMPS)M(III)] form an equilibrium distribution of aquo and hydroxo complexes ([(TMPS)M(III)(D(2)O)(2-n)(OD)(n)]((7+n)-)). Evaluation of acid dissociation constants for coordinated water show that the extent of proton dissociation from water increases regularly on moving down the group from cobalt to iridium, which is consistent with the expected order of increasing metal-ligand bond strengths. Aqueous (D(2)O) solutions of [(TMPS)Ir(III)(D(2)O)(2)](7-) react with dihydrogen to form an iridium hydride complex ([(TMPS)Ir-D(D(2)O)](8-)) with an acid dissociation constant of 1.8(0.5) × 10(-12) (298 K), which is much smaller than the Rh-D derivative (4.3 (0.4) × 10(-8)), reflecting a stronger Ir-D bond. The iridium hydride complex adds with ethene and acetaldehyde to form organometallic derivatives [(TMPS)Ir-CH(2)CH(2)D(D(2)O)](8-) and [(TMPS)Ir-CH(OD)CH(3)(D(2)O)](8-). Only a six-coordinate carbonyl complex [(TMPS)Ir-D(CO)](8-) is observed for reaction of the Ir-D with CO (P(CO) = 0.2-2.0 atm), which contrasts with the (TMPS)Rh-D analog which reacts with CO to produce an equilibrium with a rhodium formyl complex ([(TMPS)Rh-CDO(D(2)O)](8-)). Reactivity studies and equilibrium thermodynamic measurements were used to discuss the relative M-X bond energetics (M = Rh, Ir; X = H, OH, and CH(2)-) and the thermodynamically favorable oxidative addition of water with the (TMPS)Ir(II) derivatives.     

Activation of C-H / H-H bonds by rhodium(II) porphyrin bimetalloradicals

Reactivity, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies are reported for reactions of a rhodium(II) bimetalloradical with H(2), and with the methyl C-H bonds for a series of substrates CH(3)R (R = H, CH(3), OH, C(6)H(5)) using a m-xylyl diether tethered diporphyrin ligand. Bimolecular substrate reactions involving the intramolecular use of two metalloradical centers and preorganization of the four-centered transition state (M*...X...Y*...M) result in large rate enhancements as compared to termolecular reactions of monometalloradicals. Activation parameters and deuterium kinetic isotope effects for the substrate reactions are reported. The C-H bond reactions become less thermodynamically favorable as the substrate steric requirements increase, and the activation free energy (DeltaG++) decreases regularly as DeltaG degrees becomes more favorable. An absolute Rh-H bond dissociation enthalpy of 61.1 +/- 0.4 kcal mol(-1) is directly determined, and the derived Rh-CH(2)R BDE values increase regularly with the increase in the C-H BDE.     

Aqueous organometallic reactions of rhodium porphyrins: equilibrium thermodynamics

The reactivity and equilibrium thermodynamic studies of tetra-p-sulfonatophenyl porphyrin rhodium hydride ([(TSPP)Rh-D]-4) with CO, aldehydes and olefins that produce formyl, alpha-hydroxyalkyl and alkyl complexes have been explored in water and compared with the related reactions in non-aqueous media.     

Substituent effects in five oxo-centered trinuclear rhodium(III) clusters

We here report the rates of water substitution by methanol-d(4) for four new oxo-centered trinuclear rhodium(III) clusters with different carboxylate-bridging ligands, [Rh3(mu3-O)(mu-O2CR)6(OH2)3]+ (R = CH2CH3, CH2CH2Cl, CH2Cl, and CHCl2), and [Rh3(mu3-O)(mu-O2CCH3)6(OH2)3]+. By varying the R group alkyl chain, water substitution rates were found to span almost 3 orders of magnitude (k(298K) = 1.2 x 10(-2)-2.3 x 10(-5) s(-1)) and reflect the following trend R = CH2CH3 > CH3 > CH2CH2Cl > CH(2)Cl > CHCl2. Activation parameters for substitution point toward a dissociative activation pathway (DeltaH = 99-115 kJ mol(-1); DeltaS = 48-52 J mol(-1) K(-1)), indicating that there is little association with the incoming methanol molecule during the formation of the transition-state complex. Because the mechanism for substitution in all five trimers has a considerable dissociative character, substitution rates are likely very similar to water exchange rates. These data suggest that the kinetic reactivity of the ligated waters is heavily influenced by the inductive ability of the aliphatic substituents, but yet the mechanism of substitution remains virtually unchanged. Structural data are also reported for the four new rhodium(III) trimer salts as well as 103Rh NMR spectra. We find that 103Rh NMR chemical shifts span more than 200 ppm and mirror the same reactivity trend found for the rates of water substitution (103Rh delta (9406-9620 ppm): R = CH2CH3 < CH3 < CH2CH2Cl < CH2Cl < CHCl2). Taken together, these data suggest a means for estimating water exchange rates for other oxo-centered rhodium(III) trimers from chemical shift data alone.     

Cationic and neutral diphenyldiazomethanerhodium(I) complexes as catalytically active species in the C-C coupling reaction of olefins and diphenyldiazomethane

Cationic rhodium(I) complexes cis-[Rh(acetone)2(L)(L')]+ (2: L = L'=C8H14; 3: L=C8H14; L'=PiPr3; 4: L=L'=PiPr3), prepared from [RhCl(C8H14)2]2] and isolated as PF6 salts, catalyze the C-C coupling reaction of diphenyldiazomethane with ethene, propene, and styrene. In most cases, a mixture of isomeric olefins and cyclopropanes were obtained which are formally built up by one equivalent of RCH=CH2 (R = H, Me, Ph) and one equivalent of CPh2. The efficiency and selectivity of the catalyst depends significantly on the coordination sphere around the rhodium(I) center. Treatment of 4 with Ph2CN2 in the molar ratio of 1:1 and 1:2 gave the complexes trans-[Rh(PiPr3)2(acetone)(eta1-N2CPh2)]PF6 (8) and trans-[Rh(PiPr3)2(eta1-N2CPh2)2]PF6 (9), of which 8 was characterized by X-ray crystallography. Since 8 and 9 not only react with ethene but also catalyze the reaction of C2H4 and free Ph2CN2, they can be regarded as intermediates (possibly resting states) in the C-C coupling process. The lability of 8 and 9 is illustrated by the reactions with pyridine and NaX (X=Cl, Br, I, N3) which afford the mono(diphenyldiazomethane)rhodium(I) compounds trans-[Rh(PiPr3)2(py)(eta1-N2CPh2)]PF6 (10) and trans-[RhX(eta1-N2CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (11-14), respectively. The catalytic activity of the neutral complexes 11 - 14 is somewhat less than that of the cationic species 8, 9 and decreases in the order Cl > Br> I > N3.     

Binuclear half-sandwich cobalt(III) and rhodium(III) ortho-carboranedichalocogenolato complexes with ether chain-bridged bis(cyclopentadienyl) ligand

1, 1'-(3-Oxapentamethylene)dicyclopentadiene [O(CH(2)CH(2)C(5)H(5))(2)], containing a flexible chain-bridged group, was synthesized by the reaction of sodium cyclopentadienide with bis(2-chloroethyl) ether through a slightly modified literature procedure. Furthermore, the binuclear cobalt(III) complex O[CH(2)CH(2)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))Co(CO)I(2)](2) and insoluble polynuclear rhodium(III) complex {O[CH(2)CH(2)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))RhI(2)](2)}(n) were obtained from reactions of with the corresponding metal fragments and they react easily with PPh(3) to give binuclear metal complexes, O[CH(2)CH(2)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))Co(PPh(3))I(2)](2) and O[CH(2)CH(2)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))Rh(PPh(3))I(2)](2), respectively. Complexes react with bidentate dilithium dichalcogenolato ortho-carborane to give eight binuclear half-sandwich ortho-carboranedichalcogenolato cobalt(III) and rhodium(III) complexes O[CH(2)CH(2)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))Co(PPh(3))(E(2)C(2)B(10)H(10))](2) (E = S and Se), O[CH(2)CH(2)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))](2)Co(2)(E(2)C(2)B(10)H(10)) (E = S and Se), O[CH(2)CH(2)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))Co(E(2)C(2)B(10)H(10))](2) (E = S and Se and O[CH(2)CH(2)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))Rh(PPh(3))(E(2)C(2)B(10)H(10))](2) (E = S and Se). All complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, NMR spectra ((1)H, (13)C, (31)P and (11)B NMR) and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structures were determined by X-ray diffractometry.     

Reactions of a platinum(III) dimeric complex with alkynes in water: novel approach to alpha-aminoketone, alpha-iminoketone, and alpha,beta-diimine via ketonyl-Pt(III) dinuclear complexes

Reaction of the platinum(III) dimeric complex [Pt(2)(NH(3))(4)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2) (1), prepared in situ by the oxidation of the platinum blue complex [Pt(4)(NH(3))(8)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(4)](NO(3))(5) (2) with Na(2)S(2)O(8), with terminal alkynes CH[triple bond]CR (R = (CH(2))(n)CH(3) (n = 2-5), (CH(2))(n)CH(2)OH (n = 0-2), CH(2)OCH(3), and Ph), in water gave a series of ketonyl-Pt(III) dinuclear complexes [Pt(2)(NH(3))(4)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(2)(CH(2)COR)](NO(3))(3) (3, R = (CH(2))(2)CH(3); 4, R = (CH(2))(3)CH(3); 5, R = (CH(2))(4)CH(3); 6, R = (CH(2))(5)CH(3); 7, R = CH(2)OH; 8, R = CH(2)CH(2)OH; 9, R = (CH(2))(2)CH(2)OH; 10, R = CH(2)OCH(3); 11, R = Ph). Internal alkyne 2-butyne reacted with 1 to form the complex [Pt(2)(NH(3))(4)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(2)(CH(CH(3))COCH(3))](NO(3))(3) (12). These reactions show that Pt(III) reacts with alkynes to give various ketonyl complexes. Coordination of the triple bond to the Pt(III) atom at the axial position, followed by nucleophilic attack of water and hydrogen shift from the enol to keto form, would be the mechanism. The structures of complexes 3.H(2)O, 7.0.5C(3)H(4)O, 9, 10, and 12 have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. A competitive reaction between equimolar 1-pentyne and 1-pentene toward 1 produced complex 3 and [Pt(2)(NH(3))(4)((CH(3))(3)CCONH)(2)(CH(2)CH(OH)CH(2)CH(2)CH(3))](NO(3))(3) (14) at a molar ratio of 9:1, suggesting that alkyne is more reactive than alkene. The ketonyl-Pt(III) dinuclear complexes are susceptible to nucleophiles, such as amines, and the reactions with secondary and tertiary amines give the corresponding alpha-amino-substituted ketones and the reduced Pt(II) complex quantitatively. In the reactions with primary amines, the once formed alpha-amino-substituted ketones were further converted to the iminoketones and diimines. The nucleophilic attack at the ketonyl group of the Pt(III) complexes provides a convenient means for the preparation of alpha-aminoketones, alpha-iminoketones, and diimines from the corresponding alkynes and amines.     

A mechanistic investigation into the elimination of phosphonium salts from rhodium-TRIPHOS complexes under methanol carbonylation conditions

Phosphine modified rhodium complexes are currently the topic of considerable research as methanol carbonylation catalysts, but often suffer from poor stability. This paper reports on an investigation into how coordination mode affects the elimination of phosphonium salts from rhodium complexes, namely [trans-RhCl(CO)(PPh(3))(2)] , [RhCl(CO)(dppe)] , [RhCl(CO)(dppb)](2), [Rh(TRIPHOS)(CO)(2)]Cl . These complexes are all potential pre-catalysts for methanol carbonylation. The reaction of these complexes with methyl iodide at 140 degrees C under both N(2) and CO atmospheres has been studied and has revealed clear differences in the stability of the corresponding Rh(iii) complexes. In contrast to both monomeric and dimeric that react cleanly with CH(3)I to give stable Rh(iii) acetyl complexes, forms a novel bidentate complex after the elimination of the one arm of the ligand as a quaternised phosphonium salt. The structure of this complex has been determined spectroscopically and using X-ray crystallography. The mechanism of formation of this novel complex has been investigated using (13)CH(3)I and strong evidence that supports a dissociative mechanism as the means of phosphine loss from the rhodium centre is provided.     

Scope and mechanism of the intermolecular addition of aromatic aldehydes to olefins catalyzed by Rh(I) olefin complexes

Rhodium (I) bis-olefin complexes Cp*Rh(VTMS)(2) and CpRh(VTMS)(2) (Cp* = C(5)Me(5), Cp = C(5)Me(4)CF(3), VTMS = vinyl trimethylsilane) were found to catalyze the addition of aromatic aldehydes to olefins to form ketones. Use of the more electron-deficient catalyst CpRh(VTMS)(2) results in faster reaction rates, better selectivity for linear ketone products from alpha-olefins, and broader reaction scope. NMR studies of the hydroacylation of vinyltrimethylsilane showed that the starting Rh(I) bis-olefin complexes and the corresponding Cp*/Rh(CH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))(CO)(Ar) complexes were catalyst resting states, with an equilibrium established between them prior to turnover. Mechanistic studies suggested that CpRh(VTMS)(2) displayed a faster turnover frequency (relative to Cp*Rh(VTMS)(2)) because of an increase in the rate of reductive elimination, the turnover-limiting step, from the more electron-deficient metal center of CpRh(VTMS)(2). Reaction of Cp*/Rh(CH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))(CO)(Ar) with PMe(3) yields acyl complexes Cp*/Rh[C(O)CH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3)](PMe(3))(Ar); measured first-order rates of reductive elimination of ketone from these Rh(III) complexes established that the Cp ligand accelerates this process relative to the Cp* ligand.     

Rhodium complexes with the chelating and binucleating ligands P(CH2CH2Py)nPh3-n (Py = 2-pyridyl; n = 1,2): structures and fluxional behavior

Several rhodium(I) complexes of the type [RhX(CO)(PePy2)], [Rh(diene)(PePy)]+, and [Rh(diene)(PePy2)]+ (PePyn = P(CH2CH2Py)nPh3-n; Py = 2-pyridyl; n = 1, 2) have been prepared. The two former are square planar; the latter are pentacoordinated for diene = tetrafluorobenzobarrelene or norbornadiene (confirmed by X-ray diffraction), but an equilibrium of 4- and 5-coordinate isomers exists in solution for diene = 1,5-cyclooctadiene. The fluxional behavior of all these complexes is studied by NMR spectroscopy. The complex [Rh(NBD)(PePy2)]PF6.Cl2CH2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 8.455(1) A, b = 18.068(3) A, c = 19.729(3) A, beta = 99.658(3)degrees, and Z = 4. The complexes [Rh(diene)(PePy2)]+ react with CO to give the dimeric complex [Rh2(CO)2[P(CH2CH2Py)2Ph]2](BF4)2 with the pyridylphosphine acting as P,N-chelating and P,N-bridging.     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of rhodium and iridium complexes of the chelating bis-sulfoxide tBuSOC2H4SOtBu. Selective O-H activation of 2-hydroxy-isopropyl-pyridine

The chloro-bridged rhodium and iridium complexes [M2(BTSE)2Cl2] (M = Rh 1, Ir 2) bearing the chelating bis-sulfoxide tBuSOC2H4SOtBu (BTSE) were prepared by the reaction of [M2(COE)4Cl2] (M = Rh, Ir; COE = cyclooctene) with an excess of a racemic mixture of the ligand. The cationic compounds [M(BTSE)2][PF6] (M = Rh 3, Ir 4), bearing one S- and one O-bonded sulfoxide, were also obtained in good yields. The chloro-bridges in 2 can be cleaved with 2-methyl-6-pyridinemethanol and 2-aminomethyl pyridine, resulting in the iridium(I) complexes [Ir(BTSE)(Py)(Cl)] (Py = 2-methyl-6-pyridinemethanol 5, 2-aminomethyl-pyridine 6). In case of the bulky 2-hydroxy- isopropyl-pyridine, selective OH oxidative addition took place, forming the Ir(III)-hydride [Ir(BTSE)(2-isopropoxy-pyridine)(H)(Cl)] 7, with no competition from the six properly oriented C-H bonds. The cationic rhodium(I) and iridium(I) compounds [M(BTSE)(2-aminomethyl-pyridine)][X] (M = Rh 8, Ir 10), [Rh(BTSE)(2-hydroxy- isopropyl-pyridine)][X] 9(stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding), [Ir(BTSE)(pyridine)2][PF6] 12, [Ir(BTSE)(alpha-picoline)2][PF6] 13, and [Rh(BTSE)(1,10-phenanthroline)][PF6] 14 were prepared either by chloride abstraction from the dimeric precursors or by replacement of the labile oxygen bonded sulfoxide in 3 or 4. Complex 14 exhibits a dimeric structure in the solid state by pi-pi stacking of the phenanthroline ligands.     

Modelling proposed intermediates in the hydrocarbonylation of alkenes catalysed by rhodium complexes of PBui3 and PPri3

In ethanol, hydrocarbonylation reactions of alkenes catalysed by triethylphosphine complexes of rhodium give alcohols as the products with low linear selectivity, whilst rhodium complexes of PPri3 or PBui3 give mainly aldehydes, again with low linear selectivity. Modelling the proposed acyl intermediates by studying [Rh(C(O)Me)(CO)m(L)4-m] (L = PPri3 or PBui3) shows that they exist as monophosphine species under the normal reaction conditions. In the absence of CO, [Rh(=C(OH)Me)(CO)L2]+ can also be formed. The implications of these NMR studies for the chemo- and regio-selectivity of the hydrocarbonylation reactions are discussed.     

Gyroscope-like molecules consisting of three-spoke stators that enclose "switchable" neutral dipolar rhodium rotators; reversible cycling between faster and slower rotating Rh(CO)I and Rh(CO)2I species

trans-Rh(CO)(Cl)(P((CH(2))(14))(3)P) is prepared from trans-Rh(CO)(Cl)(P((CH(2))(6)CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH(2))(3))(2) by a metathesis/hydrogenation sequence, and converted by substitution or addition reactions to Rh(CO)(I), Rh(CO)(2)(I), Rh(CO)(NCS), and Rh(CO)(Cl)(Br)(CCl(3)) species; the Rh(CO)(Cl) and Rh(CO)(I) moieties rapidly rotate within the cage-like diphosphine, but the other rhodium moieties do not.     

Speciation studies by capillary electrophoresis--distribution of rhodium(III) complexed forms in acidic media

The feasibility of capillary electrophoresis for distinguishing between the rhodium(III) species occurring in different acidic environments has been demonstrated. The separation was optimum under acidic electrolyte conditions in which the complexed Rh species were at their most stable and the electroosmotic flow approached zero, thereby aiding resolution. Identification of the forms of Rh and estimation of their relative equilibrium content were accomplished by use of a diode-array detector. The distribution of the metal complexes was highly dependent on the nature and concentration of the acid and the age of the rhodium stock solutions. On dilution Rh(III) tends to be readily hydrolyzed, giving rise to a wider variety (and a varied distribution) of complexed forms. In 0.1 mol L(-1) HCl, four differently charged chloro complexes--RhCl4(H2O)2-, RhCl3(OH)(H2O)2-, RhCl3(H2O)3, and RhCl2(H2O)4+--were separated and identified. When a stock solution in 11 mol L(-1) HCl was run, Rh produced a major peak ascribed to RhCl6(3-) and two slowly migrating peaks from ions in which one or two of the chloride ligands were probably replaced by water and hydroxyl ion, as a result of hydrolysis. The aquatic cationic species were found to be predominant in HClO4 and HNO3 solutions, whereas only negatively charged forms of Rh(III) occurred in sulfuric acid. This speciation information opens also new possibilities of assessing the catalytic activity of Rh in kinetic reactions.     

Step-by-step uncoordination of the pyrazolyl rings of hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands in comlexes of Rh and RhIII

Compounds of rhodium(I) and rhodium(III) that contain ancillary hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands (Tp') react with monodentate and bidentate tertiary phosphanes in a step-wise manner, with incorporation of P-donor atoms and concomitant replacement of the Tp' pyrazolyl rings. Accordingly, [Rh(kappa3-TpMe2)(C2H4)(PMe3)] (1b), converts initially into [Rh(kappa2-TpMe2)-(PMe3)2] (3), and then into [Rh(kappa1-TpMe2)-(PMe3)3] (2) upon interaction with PMe3 at room temperature, in a process which can be readily reversed under appropriate experimental conditions. Full disengagement of the Tp' ligand is feasible to give Tp' salts of rhodium(I) complex cations, for example, [Rh(CO)(dppp)2]-[TpMe2,4-Cl] (5; dppp = Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2), or [Rh(dppp)2][TpMe2,4-Cl] (6). Bis(hydride) derivatives of rhodium(III) exhibit similar substitution chemistry, for instance, the neutral complex [Rh(Tp)-(H)2(PMe3)] reacts at 20 degrees C with an excess of PMe3 to give [Rh(H)2-(PMe3)4][Tp] (9b). Single-crystal X-ray studies of 9b, conducted at 143 K, demonstrate the absence of bonding interactions between the [Rh(H)2(PMe3)4]+ and Tp ions, the closest Rh...N contact being at 4.627 A.