Rhodium-catalyzed arylative and alkenylative cyclization of 1,5-enynes induced by geminal carbometalation of alkynes

A rhodium(I)-catalyzed addition-cyclization of 1,5-enynes with aryl- and alkenylboronic acids has been developed. The reaction allows for efficient C-C coupling of multiple reactive components while accomplishing a net R,H-addition in a single step under mild conditions. In the presence of [Rh(OH)(COD)]2 catalyst and triethylamine base in methanol solvent, a range of 1,5-enynes undergo an intermolecular addition with a wide variety of aryl- and alkenylboronic acids and concomitant endo-selective cyclization to yield 1-aryl and alkenyl-substituted cyclopentene derivatives as the products. Deuterium labeling studies suggest that the reaction involves formation of a rhodium vinylidene complex with the terminal alkyne of the enyne substrate. The subsequent migration of the aryl or alkenyl group from the rhodium center to the alpha-carbon of the vinylidene ligand gives a vinyl rhodium complex, a formal 1,1-carbometalation process of the alkyne. This vinyl rhodium then adds to the pendent alkene, and the protodemetalation of the resulting rhodium enolate affords the product.     

Temperature‐Controlled Bidirectional Enantioselectivity in a Dynamic Catalyst for Asymmetric Hydrogenation

Asymmetric catalysis using enantiomerically pure catalysts is one of the most widely used methods for the preparation of enantiomerically pure compounds. The separate synthesis of both enantiomerically pure compounds requires tedious and time‐consuming preparation of both enantiomerically pure catalysts or chiral separation of the racemic products. Here, we report a stereochemically flexible diastereomeric rhodium(I) catalyst for asymmetric hydrogenations of prochiral (Z)‐α‐acetamidocinnamates and α‐substituted acrylates, which changes its enantioselectivity depending on the temperature to produce each enantiomerically pure compound in high yield with constant high enantioselectivity over time. The same axially chiral rhodium(I) catalyst produces (R)‐phenylalanine derivatives in enantiomeric ratios of up to 87:13 (R/S) at low temperature and up to 3:97 (R/S) of the corresponding S enantiomers after re‐equilibration of the same catalyst at elevated temperature.     

Some new C2-symmetric bicyclo[2.2.1]heptadiene ligands: synthesis and catalytic activity in rhodium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4- and 1,2-additions

C₂-Symmetric bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dienes with various substituents (R=Bn, i-Bu, c-Hex, allyl) are prepared starting from the corresponding enantiomerically pure bis-triflate (R=OTf). These chiral ligands are tested and compared in rhodium(I)-catalyzed 1,4- and 1,2-addition of phenylboronic acid to cyclic enones and aryl aldehydes, respectively. Some interesting reactivity and selectivity effects due to the introduction of sterically demanding or olefinic substituents are reported. Moreover, remarkably high catalytic activity is observed for the rhodium(I)-catalyzed 1,2-addition.     

Flexible synthesis of enantiomerically pure 2,8-dialkyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecanes and 2,7-dialkyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decanes from propargylic and homopropargylic alcohols

A new approach to enantiomerically pure 2,8-dialkyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecanes and 2,7-dialkyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decanes is described and utilizes enantiomerically pure homopropargylic alcohols obtained from lithium acetylide opening of enantiomerically pure epoxides, which are, in turn, acquired by hydrolytic kinetic resolution of the corresponding racemic epoxides. Alkyne carboxylation and conversion to the Weinreb amide may be followed by triple-bond manipulation prior to reaction with a second alkynyllithium derived from a homo- or propargylic alcohol. In this way, the two ring components of the spiroacetal are individually constructed, with deprotection and cyclization affording the spiroacetal. The procedure is illustrated by acquisition of (2S,5R,7S) and (2R,5R,7S)-2-n-butyl-7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]-decanes (1), (2S,6R,8S)-2-methyl-8-n-pentyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane (2), and (2S,6R,8S)-2-methyl-8-n-propyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane (3). The widely distributed insect component, (2S,6R,8S)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane (4), was acquired by linking two identical alkyne precursors via ethyl formate. In addition, [(2)H(4)]-regioisomers, 10,10,11,11-[(2)H(4)] and 4,4,5,5-[(2)H(4)] of 3 and 4,4,5,5-[(2)H(4)]-4, were acquired by triple-bond deuteration, using deuterium gas and Wilkinson's catalyst. This alkyne-based approach is, in principle, applicable to more complex spiroacetal systems not only by use of more elaborate alkynes but also by triple-bond functionalization during the general sequence.     

Expanding the C2-symmetric bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene ligand family: concise synthesis and catalytic activity in rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric addition

New C2-symmetric bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dienes bearing methyl and phenyl substituents at the 2 and 5 positions were prepared enantiomerically pure through a two-step sequence starting from the readily available bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dione. Due to the instability or volatility of these dienes, their isolation was achieved through the formation of the corresponding stable [RhCl(diene)]2 complexes. These chiral rhodium complexes displayed high activity and enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) in the rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-addition and 1,2-addition of phenylboronic acid to cyclic enones and N-sulfonylimines, respectively.     

Generation of chiral boron enolates by rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of 9-aryl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes (B-Ar-9BBN) to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

Asymmetric 1,4-addition of 9-phenyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (2m) to 2-cyclohexenone (1a) proceeded with high enantioselectivity in toluene at 80 degrees C in the presence of 3 mol % of a rhodium catalyst generated from [Rh(OMe)(cod)]2 and (S)-binap to give a high yield of boron enolate (S)-3am, which is 98% enantiomerically pure. Reaction of the boron enolate 3am with electrophiles, methanol-d, propanal, and allyl bromide, gave the corresponding 2-substituted (3S)-3-phenylcyclohexanones with perfect regio- and diastereoselectivity.     

Bidirectional asymmetric allylboration. A convenient asymmetric synthesis of C(2)-symmetric 3-methylenepentane-1,5-diols and rapid access to C(2)-symmetric spiroketals

The double allylboration of aldehydes using 1, 3-bis(diisopinocampheylboryl)-2-methylenepropanes (R,R)-3 and (S, S)-3 under Brown's salt-free conditions provides C(2)-symmetric 3-methylenepentane-1,5-diols 1 in excellent enantiomeric excess. The absolute stereochemistry of the products was confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray study of bis-Mosher ester 6g. Desymmetrization and further functionalization of diol 1a were achieved by treatment of the bis-BOC carbonate 13 with IBr in toluene at -80 degrees C to give cyclic iodocarbonate 14 as a single diastereomer. This methodology is also applicable in natural product synthesis; enantiomerically pure spiroketals 1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecanes 18 and 25, the latter representing an expedient synthesis of the AB ring system of the spongistatins 20, were easily accessed from simple starting materials in excellent yields and selectivities.     

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Bis(hydroxymethyl)-Branched Cyclohexenyl and Cyclohexyl Purines as Potential Inhibitors of HIV

The synthesis of the enantiomerically pure bis(hydroxymethyl)-branched cyclohexenyl and cyclohexyl purines is described. Racemic trans-4,5-bis(methoxycarbonyl)cyclohexene [(+/-)-6] was reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to give the racemic diol (+/-)-7. Resolution of (+/-)-7 via a transesterification process using lipase from Pseudomonas sp. (SAM-II) gave both diols in enantiomerically pure form. The enantiomerically pure diol (S,S)-7was benzoylated and epoxidized to give the epoxide 9. Treatment of the epoxide 9 with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate and 1,5-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-5-ene followed by dilute hydrochloric acid gave (1R,4S,5R)-4,5-bis[(benzoyloxy)methyl]-1-hydroxycyclohex-2-ene (10). Acetylation of 10 gave (1R,4S,5R)-1-acetoxy-4,5-bis[(benzoyloxy)methyl]cyclohex-2-ene (11). (1R,4S,5R)-1-Acetoxy-4,5-bis[(benzoyloxy)methyl]cyclohex-2-ene (11) was converted to the adenine derivative 12 and guanine derivative 13 via palladium(0)-catalyzed coupling with adenine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine, respectively. Hydrogenation of 12 and 13 gave the correspondning saturated adenine derivative 14 and guanine derivative 15. (1R,4S,5R)-4,5-Bis[(benzoyloxy)methyl]-1-hydroxycyclohex-2-ene (10) was converted to the adenine derivative 16 and guanine derivative 17 via coupling with 6-chloropurine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine, respectively, using a modified Mitsunobu procedure. Hydrogenation of 16 and 17 gave the corresponding saturated adenine derivative 18 and guanine derivative 19. Compounds 12-19 were evaluated for activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but were found to be inactive. Further biological testings are underway.     

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.     

A versatile chemo-enzymatic route to enantiomerically pure beta-branched alpha-amino acids

A series of diastereoisomers of beta-methyl-beta-phenylalanine analogues 1a-f have been prepared in enantiomerically pure form using a combination of chemo- and biocatalysis. Starting from l-threonine methyl ester 2, a range of beta,beta-disubstituted didehydroamino acids were obtained as their (Z)-isomers 6a-f. Asymmetric hydrogenation of these alkenes, using either the [Rh(R,R)-Et-DuPhos(COD)]BF4 or [Rh(S,S)-Et-DuPhos(COD)]BF4 catalyst, followed by hydrolysis yielded two of the four possible sets of diastereoisomers of the beta-branched amino acid. Subsequent stereoinversion, using a stereoselective amino acid oxidase in combination with a nonselective reducing agent, furnished the remaining two sets of diastereomers.     

Dinuclear rhodium and iridium complexes with mixed amido/methoxo and amido/hydroxo bridges

The reactions of [[M(mu-OMe)(cod)](2)] (M = Rh, Ir; cod = 1,5- cyclooctadiene) with p-tolylamine, alpha-naphthylamine, and p-nitroaniline gave complexes with mixed-bridging ligands, [[M(cod)](2)(mu-NHAr)(mu-OMe)]. Similarly, the related complexes [[Rh(cod)](2)(mu-NHAr)(mu-OH)] were prepared from the reactions of [[Rh(mu-OH)(cod)](2)] with p-tolylamine, alpha-naphthylamine, and p-nitroaniline. The reactions of [[Rh(mu-OR)(cod)](2)] (R = H, Me) with o-nitroaniline gave the mononuclear complex [Rh(o-NO(2)C(6)H(4)NH)(cod)]. The syntheses of the amido complexes involve a proton exchange reaction from the amines to the methoxo or hydroxo ligands and the coordination of the amide ligand. These reactions were found to be reversible for the dinuclear complexes. The structure of [[Rh(cod)](2)(mu-NH[p-NO(2)C(6)H(4)])(mu-OMe)] shows two edge-shared square-planar rhodium centers folded at the edge with an anti configuration of the bridging ligands. The complex [[Rh(cod)](2)(mu-NH[alpha-naphthyl])(mu-OH)] cocrystallizes with [[Rh(mu-OH)(cod)](2)] and THF, forming a supramolecular aggregate supported by five hydrogen bridges in the solid state. In the mononuclear [Rh(o-NO(2)C(6)H(4)NH)(cod)] complex the o-nitroamido ligand chelates the rhodium center through the amido nitrogen and an oxygen of the nitro group.     

Rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds: large accelerating effects of bases and ligands

The effects of ligands and bases in the rhodium(I)-catalyzed 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds were reinvestigated to carry out the reaction under mild conditions. Rhodium(I) complexes possessing a 1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod) and a hydroxo ligand such as [RhOH(cod)](2) exhibited excellent catalyst activities compared to those of the corresponding rhodium-acac or -chloro complexes and their phosphine derivatives. The reaction was further accelerated in the presence of KOH, thus allowing the 1,4-addition even at 0 degrees C. A cationic rhodium(I)-(R)-binap complex, [Rh(R-binap)(nbd)]BF(4), catalyzed the reaction at 25-50 degrees C in the presence of Et(3)N with high enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee for alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, 92% for aldehydes, 94% for esters, and 92% for amides.     

Stereochemistry of lactide polymerization with chiral catalysts: new opportunities for stereocontrol using polymer exchange mechanisms

The synthesis of chiral aluminum and yttrium alkoxides and their application for lactide polymerization are reported. The complexes (SalBinap)MOR [4, M = Al, R = (i)Pr; 5, M = Y, R = (CH(2))(2)NMe(2)] are synthesized by reacting the ligand (SalBinap)H(2) [2,2'-[(1,1'-binaphthalene)-2,2'-diylbis(nitrilomethylidyne)]bisphenol] with the appropriate metal trisalkoxide. While enantiomerically pure yttrium complex 5 did not effect stereocontrol in the polymerization of either meso- or rac-lactide, homochiral 4 was found to exhibit excellent stereocontrol in a range of lactide polymerizations. Enantiomerically pure 4 polymerizes meso-lactide to syndiotactic poly(lactic acid) (PLA), while rac-4 polymerizes meso- and rac-lactide to heterotactic and isotactic stereoblock PLA, respectively. On the basis of the absolute stereochemistry of ring-opening of meso-lactide using (R)-4, a polymer exchange mechanism is proposed to account for the PLA microstructures resulting from rac-4.     

Olefins as steering ligands for homogeneously catalyzed hydrogenations

Iridium(I) complexes containing a (5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-phosphane (tropp(R); R = phosphorus-bound substituent = Ph, Cyc) as a rigid, concave-shaped, mixed phosphane olefin ligand were prepared and tested as catalyst precursors in the hydrogenation of imines. With the complex [Ir(tropp(Cyc))(cod)]OTf, turnover frequencies (TOFs) of >6000 h(-1) were reached in the hydrogenation of N-phenyl-benzylidenamine, PhN==CHPh. Lower activities (TOF>80 h(-1)) are observed with N-phenyl-(1-phenylethylidene)amine, PhN==CMePh. Chiral tropp-type ligands were prepared in few simple steps. Monosubstitution of the olefinic unit in the dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptenyl moiety with (R)- or (S)-mentholate gave mixtures of diastereomers that could be separated and isolated in enantiomerically pure form. Iridium(I) complexes with these ligands are rare examples of side-on bonded enolether complexes. In catalytic imine hydrogenations, complete conversion (>98 %) was reached in all cases (conditions: p[H(2)] = 50 bar, T = 50 degrees C, t = 2 h, substrate/catalyst 100:1). The best enantiomeric excess (ee = 86 % S isomer) was reached with PhN==CMePh as substrate and the R,R form of the (10-menthyloxy-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)diphenylphosphane ligand. The iridium(I) complex containing the same phosphane gave a 60 % ee (S isomer) with the enamide N-(1-phenylvinyl)acetamide as substrate (conditions: p[H(2)] = 4 bar, T = 50 degrees C, t = 18 h, substrate/catalyst = 50:1). These reactions constitute the first examples in which chiral olefins have been used as steering ligands in catalytic enantioselective hydrogenations.     

Unravelling the reaction path of rhodium-MonoPhos-catalysed olefin hydrogenation

The mechanism of the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl (Z)-2-acetamidocinnamate (mac) catalysed by [Rh(MonoPhos)(2)(nbd)]SbF(6) (MonoPhos: 3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a:3,4-a']dinaphthalen-4-yl)dimethylamine) was elucidated by using (1)H, (31)P and (103)Rh NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS. The use of nbd allows one to obtain in pure form the rhodium complex that contains two units of the ligand. In contrast to the analogous complexes that contain cis,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod), this complex shows well-resolved NMR spectroscopic signals. Hydrogenation of these catalyst precursors at 1 bar total pressure gave rise to the formation of a bimetallic complex of general formula [Rh(MonoPhos)(2)](2)(SbF(6))(2); no solvate complexes were detected. In the dimeric complex both rhodium atoms are ligated to two MonoPhos ligands but, in addition, each rhodium atom also binds to one of the binaphthyl rings of a ligand that is bound to the other rhodium metal. Upon addition of mac, a mixture of diastereomeric complexes [Rh(MonoPhos)(2)(mac)]SbF(6) is formed in which the substrate is bound in a chelate fashion to the metal. Upon hydrogenation, these adducts are converted into a new complex [Rh(MonoPhos)(2){mac(H)(2)}]SbF(6) in which the methyl phenylalaninate mac(H)(2) is bound through its aromatic ring to rhodium. Addition of mac to this complex leads to displacement of the product by the substrate. No hydride intermediates could be detected and no evidence was found for the involvement at any stage of the process of complexes with only one coordinated MonoPhos. The collected data suggest that the asymmetric hydrogenation follows a Halpern-like mechanism in which the less abundant substrate-catalyst adduct is preferentially hydrogenated to phenylalanine methyl ester.     

Direct synthesis of NNN-donor enantiopure scorpionate ligands by an efficient diastereoselective nucleophilic addition to imines

New enantiopure imines (1-9) with a chiral substrate to control the stereochemistry of a newly created stereogenic center have been synthesized by reaction of the commercially available (1R)-(-)-myrtenal and different primary amines. The diastereomerically enriched lithium-scorpionate compounds [Li(κ(3)-mobpza)(THF)] (10) (mobpza = N-p-methylphenyl-(1R and 1S)-1-[(1R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]-2-hepten-2-yl]-2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)ethylamide), [Li(κ(3)-mobpza)(THF)] (11) (mobpza = N-p-methoxyphenyl-(1R and 1S)-1-[(1R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]-2-hepten-2-yl]-2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)ethylamide), [Li(κ(3)-fbpza)(THF)] (12) (fbpza = N-p-fluorophenyl-(1R and 1S)-1-[(1R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]-2-hepten-2-yl]-2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)ethylamide), and [Li(κ(3)-clbpza)(THF)] (13) (clbpza = N-p-chlorophenyl-(1R and 1S)-1-[(1R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]-2-hepten-2-yl]-2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)ethylamide) were obtained by a diastereoselective 1,2-addition of an organolithium reagent to imines in good yield and with good diastereomeric excess (ca. 80%). The complexes [LiCl(κ(2)-R,R-fbpzaH)(THF)] (14) and [LiCl(κ(2)-R,R-clbpzaH)(THF)] (15) were obtained in enantiomerically pure form by the treatment of THF solutions of 12 or 13 with NH(4)Cl. The enantiomerically pure amines (R,R-mbpzaH) (16), (R,R-mobpzaH) (17), (R,R-fbpzaH) (18), and (R,R-clbpzaH) (19) were obtained by hydrolysis of the lithium-scorpionate compounds 10-13 with H(2)O. The lithium compound 12 was reacted with [TiCl(4)(THF)(2)] or [ZrCl(4)] to give the enantiopure complexes [MCl(3)(κ(3)-R,R-fbpza)] [M = Ti (20), Zr (21)]. The amine compound 18 reacted with [MX(4)] (M = Ti, X = O(i)Pr, OEt; M = Zr; X = NMe(2)) to give the complexes [MX(3)(κ(3)-R,R-fbpza)] (22-24). The reaction of Me(3)SiCl with [Zr(NMe(2))(3)(κ(3)-R,R-fbpza)] (24) in different molar ratios led to the halide-amide-containing complexes [ZrCl(NMe(2))(2)(κ(3)-R,R-fbpza)] (25) and [ZrCl(2)(NMe(2))(κ(3)-R,R-fbpza)] (26) and the halide complex 21. The isolation of only one of the three possible diastereoisomers of complexes 25 and 26 revealed that chiral induction from the ligand to the zirconium center took place. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy, and the X-ray crystal structures of 5, 12, 14, 15, and 24 were also established.     

Synthesis and reactions of binuclear diolefin rhodium(I) compounds bridged by nitrogen heterocycles. Crystal structure of dichloro-di-1,5-cyclooctadiene(μ-pyrazine)-dirhodium(I) [{Rh(1,5-C8H12)Cl}2(μ-C4H4N2)]

Binuclear complexes of rhodium(I) of the type [(dien)(X)Rh(μ-N-N)Rh(X)(dien)] (dien = 1,5-cyclooctadiene or norbornadiene; N-N = pyrazine, 4,4′-bipyridine or Phenazine and X = Cl or Br) with bridging heterocycles have been isolated and their reactions with carbon monoxide, 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline investigated. The crystal structure of [(COD)(Cl)Rh(μ-pyrazine)Rh(Cl)(COD)] has been determined.     

Catalytic dehydrocoupling of amine-borane and phosphine-borane adducts: the mechanism is heterogeneous in one case and homogeneous in the other

The catalytic dehydrocoupling reactions of Me2NH.BH3 and Ph2PH.BH3 using the rhodium precatalyst [Rh(1,5-cod)(mu-Cl)]2 were found to proceed by different mechanisms: heterogeneous involving Rh(0) metal for the former case and homogeneous for the latter.     

Proline as Chiral Auxiliary for the Economical Asymmetric Synthesis of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes

A straightforward method for the synthesis of virtually enantiomerically pure ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes [Ru(pp)(pp')(pp″)](PF(6))(2), pp = bidentate polypyridyl has been developed. The synthesis draws from the readily available racemic starting material cis-[Ru(pp)(pp')Cl(2)] and the natural amino acids l- or d-proline and relies on a dynamic asymmetric transformation under thermodynamic control.     

Unusual pathways for metal-assisted C[bond]C and C[bond]P coupling reactions using allenylidenerhodium complexes as precursors

The rhodium allenylidenes trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] [R = Ph (1), p-Tol (2)] react with NaC(5)H(5) to give the half-sandwich type complexes [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Rh[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))] (3, 4). The reaction of 1 with the Grignard reagent CH(2)[double bond]CHMgBr affords the eta(3)-pentatrienyl compound [Rh(eta(3)-CH(2)CHC[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] (6), which in the presence of CO rearranges to the eta(1)-pentatrienyl derivative trans-[Rh[eta(1)-C(CH[double bond]CH(2))[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2)](CO)(PiPr(3))(2)] (7). Treatment of 7 with acetic acid generates the vinylallene CH(2)[double bond]CH[bond]CH[double bond]=C=CPh(2) (8). Compounds 1 and 2 react with HCl to give the five-coordinate allenylrhodium(III) complexes [RhCl(2)[CH[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] (10, 11). An unusual [C(3) + C(2) + P] coupling process takes place upon treatment of 1 with terminal alkynes HC[triple bond]CR', leading to the formation of the eta(3)-allylic compounds [RhCl[eta(3)-anti-CH(PiPr(3))C(R')C[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2)](PiPr(3))] [R' = Ph (12), p-Tol (13), SiMe(3) (14)]. From 12 and RMgBr the corresponding phenyl and vinyl rhodium(I) derivatives 15 and 16 have been obtained. The previously unknown unsaturated ylide iPr(3)PCHC(Ph)[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2) (17) was generated from 12 and CO. A [C(3) + P] coupling process occurs on treatment of the rhodium allenylidenes 1, 2, and trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(p-Anis)(2)](PiPr(3))(2)] (20) with either Cl(2) or PhICl(2), affording the ylide-rhodium(III) complexes [RhCl(3)[C(PiPr(3))C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))] (21-23). The butatrienerhodium(I) compounds trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))(2)] (28-31) were prepared from 1, 20, and trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] [R = CF(3) (26), tBu (27)] and diazomethane; with the exception of 30 (R = CF(3), R' = Ph), they thermally rearrange to the isomers trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))(2)] (32, 33, and syn/anti-34). The new 1,1-disubstituted butatriene H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(tBu)Ph (35) was generated either from 31 or 34 and CO. The iodo derivatives trans-[RhI(eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CR(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] [R = Ph (38), p-Anis (39)] were obtained by an unusual route from 1 or 20 and CH(3)I in the presence of KI. While the hydrogenation of 1 and 26 leads to the allenerhodium(I) complexes trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] (40, 41), the thermolysis of 1 and 20 produces the rhodium(I) hexapentaenes trans-[RhCl(eta(2)-R(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CR(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] (44, 45) via C-C coupling. The molecular structures of 3, 7, 12, 21, and 28 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.