The chemistry of compounds of the type Ru(η---C5Me4Et)(CO)2X (X=Cl, Br or I)

The title compounds react with unidentate ligands, L, containing either phosphorus or arsenic donor atoms to yield the corresponding compounds of the type Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)LX; with didentate phosphorus donor ligands the major species formed is the bridged complex {Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)X}₂{Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh ₂} n = 1, X = Br; n = 2, X = Cl). In contrast, unidentate ligands containing nitrogen donor atoms such as pyridine did not react with Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂Cl although reaction with 1,10-phenanthroline or diethylenetriamine yielded the ionic products [Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)L]⁺Cl⁻ (L = phen or (NH₂CH₂CH₂)₂NH). Reaction of Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂Br with AgOAc yielded the corresponding acetato complex Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂0Ac. Ru(η⁵--- C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂X reacts with AgY (Y = BF₄ or PF₆) in either acetone or dichloromethane to give the useful solvent intermediates [Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂(solvent)]⁺Y⁻, which readily react with ligands L to yield ionic derivatives of the type [Ru(η⁵---C₅Me₄Et)(CO)₂L]⁺Y⁻ (where L = CO, NCMe, py, C₂H₄ or MeO₂CCCCO₂Me).     

Synthesis of metallocenes of zirconium, hafnium, manganese, iron, tin, lead and half-sandwich complexes of rhodium and iridium containing the ligands (η-C5R4CR′2PMe2), where R and R′ may be H or Me

The dimethylphosphino substituted cyclopentadienyl precursor compounds [M(C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)], where M=Li⁺ (1), Na⁺ (2), or K⁺ (3), and [Li(C₅H₄CR′₂PMe₂)], where R′₂=Me₂ (4), or (CH₂)₅ (5), [HC₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂H]X, where X⁻=Cl⁻ (6) or PF₆⁻ (7) and [HC₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂] (8), are described. They have been used to prepare new metallocene compounds, of which representative examples are [Fe(η-C₅R₄CR′₂PMe₂)₂], where R=Me, R′=H (9); R=H and R′₂=Me₂ (10), or (CH₂)₅ (11), [Fe(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₃)₂]I₂ (12), [Fe{η-C₅Me₄CH₂P(O)Me₂}₂] (13), [Zr(η-C₅R₄CR′₂PMe₂)₂Cl₂], where R=H, R′=Me (14), or R=Me, R′=H (15), [Hf(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂]Cl₂] (16), [Zr(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂Me₂] (17), {[Zr(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂]Cl}{(C₆F₅)₃BClB(C₆F₅)₃} (18), [Zr{(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂Cl₂}PtI₂] (19), [Mn(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂] (20), [Mn{(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] (21), [Pb(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂] (23), [Sn(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂] (24), [Pb{η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] (25), [Pb(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂PtI₂] (26), [Rh(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)(C₂H₄)] 29, [M(η,κP-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)I₂], where M=Rh (30), or Ir, (31).     

Bis(η-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-and(ηcyclopentadienyl) (η-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-platinium dications: Pt(IV) metallocenes

Reaction of [Pt₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂(η-Br)₃]³⁺(Br⁻)₃ with C₅R₅H (R = H,Me) in the presence of AgBF₄ gives the first platinocenium dications, [Pt(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁵-C₅R₅)]²⁺(BF₄⁻ )₂. On electrochemical reduction, [pt(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂]²⁺ yields [Pt(η⁴-C₅Me₅H)(η²-C₅Me₅)]+ BF₄⁻. kw]Cyclopentadienyl; Metallocenes; Platinum; Electrochemistry     

Dimethylchalkogenide als liganden in kationischen cyclopentadienyleisen-bis(phosphin)-komplexen: synthese, reaktivität und kristallstruktur von [C5H5Fe(P(OCH3)3)2(S(CH3)2)]PF6

Thermal displacement of coordinated nitriles RCN (R = CH₃, C₂H₅ or n-C₃H₇) in [C₅H₅Fe(L₂)(NCR)]X complexes (L₂ = P(OCH₃)₃)₂, (P(OC₆H₅)₃)₂ or (C₆H₅)₂PC₂H₄P(C₆H₅)₂ (DPPE)) by E(CH₃)₂ affords high yields of [C₅H₅Fe(L₂)(E(CH₃)₂)]X compounds (E = S, Se and Te; X = BF₄ or PF₆). Spectroscopic data and ligand displacement reactions are presented and discussed together with related observations on [C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂(E(CH₃)₂)]BF₄ compounds. The molecular structure of [C₅H₅Fe(P(OCH₃)₃)₂(S(CH₃)₂)]PF₆ was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n-C⁵_2h (No. 14) with a = 8.4064(12), b = 11.183(2), c = 50.726(8) Å, β = 90.672(13)° and Z = 8 molecules per unit cell. The coordination sphere of the iron atom is pseudo-tetrahedral with an Fe---S bond distance of 2.238 Å.     

Group 3 and 4 metal alkyl and hydrido complexes containing a linked amido-cyclopentadienyl ligand: “constrained geometry” polymerization catalysts for nonpolar and polar monomers

In order to understand the nature of the putative cationic 12-electron species [M(η⁵:η¹-C₅R₄SiMe₂NR′)R″]⁺ of titanium catalysts supported by a linked amido-cyclopentadienyl ligand, several derivatives with different cyclopentadienyl C₅R₄ and amido substituents R′ were studied systematically. The use of tridentate variants (C₅R₄SiMe₂NCH₂CH₂X)²⁻ (C₅R₄=C₅Me₄, C₅H₄, C₅H₃^tBu; X=OMe, SMe, NMe₂) allowed the NMR spectroscopic observation of the titanium benzyl cations [Ti(η⁵:η¹-C₅Me₄SiMe₂NCH₂CH₂X)(CH₂Ph)]⁺. Isoelectronic neutral rare earth metal complexes [Ln(η⁵:η¹-C₅R₄SiMe₂NR′)R″] can be expected to be active for polymerization. To arrive at neutral 12-electron hydride and alkyl species of the rare earth metals, we employed a lanthanide tris(alkyl) complex [Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂] (Ln=Y, Lu, Yb, Er, Tb), which allows the facile synthesis of the linked amido-cyclopentadienyl complex [Ln(η⁵:η¹-C₅Me₄SiMe₂NCMe₃)(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)]. Hydrogenolysis of the linked amido-cyclopentadienyl alkyl complex leads to the dimeric hydrido complex [Ln(η⁵:η¹-C₅Me₄SiMe₂NCMe₃)(THF)(μ-H)]₂. These complexes are single-site, single-component catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene and a variety of polar monomers such as acrylates and acrylonitrile. Nonpolar monomers such as -olefins and styrene, in contrast, give isolable mono-insertion products which allow detailed studies of the initiation process.     

New heterodimetallic cyclopentadienyl carbonyl complexes: crystal structure of (C5Me4Et)(μ-CO)3Ru(C5Me5)

A series of heterodimetallic complexes of general formula (C₅R₅)M(μ-CO)₃RuC₅Me₅ (M = Cr, Mo, W; R = Me, Et) has been prepared in good yields by the reaction of [C₅R₅M(CO)₃]⁻ with [C₅Me₅Ru(CH₃CN)₃]⁺. (C₅Me₄Et)W(μ-CO)₃Ru(C₅Me₅) was characterized by a crystal structure determination. The W---Ru bond length of 2.41 Å is consistent with the formulation of a metal-metal triple bond, while the unsymmetrical bonding mode of the three bridging carbonyl groups reflects the inherent non-equivalence of the two different C₅R₅M-units. Using [CpRu(CH₃CN)₃]⁺ or [CpRu(CO)₂(CH₃CN)]⁺ as the cationic precursor leads to the formation of dimetallic species (C₅R₅)M(CO)₅RuC₅H₅ with both bridging and terminal carbonyl groups.     

New organogold(I) complexes: Synthesis, structure, and dynamic behavior of the polynuclear organogold diphenylmethane and diphenylethane derivatives

Two organogold derivatives of diphenylmethane and diphenylethane, Ph₃PAu(o-C₆H₄)CH₂(C₆H₄-o)AuPPh₃ (1) and Ph₃PAu(o-C₆H₄)(CH₂)₂(C₆H₄-o)AuPPh₃ (2), have been synthesized by the reaction of ClAuPPh₃ with Li(o-C₆H₄)CH₂(C₆H₄-o)Li and Li(o-C₆H₄)(CH₂)₂(C₆H₄-o)Li respectively. The interaction of 1 with dppe results in the replacement of the two PPh₃ groups to give a macrocyclic compound (3) that includes an Au Au bond. Compounds 1 and 2 react with one or two equivalents of [Ph₃PAu]BF₄ to form new types of cationic complex [CH₂(C₆H₄-o)₂(AuPPh₃)₃]BF₄ (4), [CH₂(C₆H₄-o)₂(AuPPh₃)₄](BF₄)₂ (5), and [(CH₂)₂(C₆H₄-o)₂(AuPPh₃)₄](BF₄)₂ (6). Complexes 1–6 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction studies, FAB MS, and IR as well as by ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. A complicated system of Au H-C agostic interactions, involving the bridging alkyl groups (—CH₂— and CH₂-CH₂—) of diphenylmethane and diphenylethane ligands, has been found to occur in complexes 1–3 and 6.     

Normal coordinate analysis of MSiH3 moieties in transition metal complexes and comparison to results obtained for silyl halides

In order to examine the influence of the transition metal on the metal-silyl fragment MSiH₃ and the metal-silicon bond, polarized Raman spectra of the complexes (C₅R₅)(CO)₂FeSiH₃ R = H (Cp) (1a), Me (Cp^*) (1b)], (C₅H₅)(CO)(PPh₃)FeSiH₃ (1c), (C₅Me₅)(CO)₂RuSiH₃ (2), (C₅R₅)(CO)₂(PMc₃)MoSiH₃ [R = H (3a), Me (3b)], and (C₅R₅)(CO)₂(PMe₃)WSiH₃ [R = H(4a), Me (4b)] have been recorded. The spectral data have been evaluated and interpreted on the basis of a normal coordinate analysis of the MSiH₃ core and the derived force constants and potential energy distributions were compared to results obtained for analogous halogen derivatives in the series XSiH₃ [X = Br (5), I (6)].     

Synthese und reaktivität von dienylmetall-verbindungen : XXVII. Ein einfacher weg zur synthese von cyclopentadienylcobalt(III)-dikationen

CpCo(CO)₂ is oxidised by [Cp₂Fe]BF₄ (Cp = C₅H₅) in the presence of neutral ligands L to give the dications [CpCoL₃]²⁺ (L = SMe₂, S(n-C₄H₉)₂, PMe₃, C₅H₅N, MeCN; Me = CH₃). In [CpCo(SMe₂)₃]²⁺, sulfane ligands are substituted by neutral ligands L, L---L and L---L---L, to give the complexes [CpCoL₃]²⁺ (L = SeMe₂, TeMe₂, PMe₃, P(OMe)₃, AsMe₃, SbMe₃, t-C₄H₉NC, C₅H₅N, MeCN), [Cp-Co(L---L)SMe₂]²⁺ (L---L = R₂P(CH₂)_nPR₂, n = 1, 2, R = C₆H₅; bipyridine, o-phenanthroline, neocuproin) and [CpCo(L---L---L)]²⁺ (L---L---L = RP(CH₂CH₂PR₂)₂, R = C₆H₅). The dications react with iodide resulting in the monocations [CpCoL₂I]⁺ and [CpCo(L---L)I]⁺. Azacobaltocinium cations [CpCo(C₄R₂H₂N)]⁺ (R = H, CH₃) are obtained by reaction of [CpCo(SMe₂)₃]²⁺ with metal pyrrolides.     

Some additional aspects of versatile starting compounds for cationic organoiron complexes: molecular structure of the aqua complex [(η-C5Me4Et)Fe(CO)2(OH2)]BF4 and solution behavior of the THF complex [(η---C5R5)Fe(CO)2(THF)]BF4

The structures of the versatile starting compounds for organoiron complexes, the cationic aqua complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₄Et)Fe(CO)₂(OH₂)]BF₄ (1b) and the halide complexes (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe(CO)₂-I (2a), (η⁵-C₅Me₄Et)Fe(CO)₂-I (2b) and (η⁵-C₅Me₄Et)Fe(CO)₂-Cl (3b), are characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1b [Fe---O: 2.022(8) Å and 2.043(9) Å, two independent molecules] is the first structurally characterized example of organoiron aqua complexes. Details of the synthetic procedures for the above complexes and the labile cationic THF complexes [η⁵-C₅R₅)Fe(CO)₂(THF)]BF₄ (4) are disclosed, and the dissociation equilibrium of 4 is confirmed by means of variable temperature ¹H-NMR as well as saturation transfer experiment.     

四甲基双硅桥联环戊二烯基稀土金属有机配合物的合成及[Me4Si2(C5H4)2Sm(μ-Cl)(THF)]2的晶体结构研究

四甲基双硅桥联环戊二烯基钠与无水三氯化稀土在THF溶剂中反应合成了标题配合物Me₄Si₂(C₅H₄)₂LnCl[Ln:3Nd,4Sm,5Gd,6Y]和配合物Me₄Si₂(C₅H₄):Ln(C₅H₅)(THF)n[Ln:1La,n=1;2Pr,n=0].通过元素分析、¹HNMR、13CNMR和MS确证了配合物的结构,在THF溶液中重结晶获得配合物4的单晶,x射线衍射证明晶体结构为二聚体,4为单斜晶系,空间群为P2₁/c,晶体学数据a=1.2982(3)nm,b=1.2269(3)nm,c=1.3681(2)nm,β=96.79(2)°,V=2.162(1)nm³,Z=2,D_x=1.53g/cm³,偏差因子R=0.068.     

Alkyl-substituted cyclopentadienyl- and phospholyl-zirconium/MAO catalysts for propene and 1-hexene oligomerization

The directed oligomerization of propene and 1-hexene was carried out with a series of Cp′(C₅H₅)ZrCl₂ and Cp₂′ZrCl₂ pre-catalysts (Cp′=C₅HMe₄, C₄Me₄P, C₅Me₅, C₅H₄^tBu, C₅H₃-1,3-^tBu₂, C₅H₂-1,2,4-^tBu₃) together with (C₅H₅)₂ZrCl₂. Oligomers in the molar mass range 300–1500 g/mol for propene and 200–3000 g/mol for 1-hexene were synthesized at 50 °C. The majority of oligomer molecules contain a double-bond end group. Oligomer characterization was carried out by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Vinylidene double bonds (from β-hydrogen elimination) are solely found for the tert-butyl-substituted zirconocenes and for most of the unsymmetrical methyl-substituted Cp′(C₅H₅)ZrCl₂ systems (except Cp′=phospholyl). With (C₄Me₄P)(C₅H₅)ZrCl₂ and with the symmetrical methyl-containing Cp₂′ZrCl₂ pre-catalysts, also vinyl end groups (from β-methyl elimination) are observed in the case of oligopropenes. The vinylidene/vinyl ratio depends on the ligand and the vinyl content increases from C₅HMe₄ (65/35) over C₄Me₄P (61/39) to C₅Me₅ (9/91). The phospholyl zirconocenes and (C₅HMe₄)₂ZrCl₂ also exhibit chain-transfer to aluminum thereby giving saturated oligomers.     

Syntheses, X-ray structures, and reactions of ruthenium carbonyl complexes containing 1,1-dithiolates

Treatment of [Ru₂(CO)₄(MeCN)₆][BF₄]₂ or [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-O₂CMe)₂(MeCN)₂] with uni-negative 1,1-dithiolate anions via potassium dimethyldithiocarbamate, sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, potassium tert-butylthioxanthate, and ammonium O,O′-diethylthiophosphate gives both monomeric and dimeric products of cis-[Ru(CO)₂(η²-(SS))₂] ((SS)⁻=Me₂NCS₂⁻ (1), Et₂NCS₂⁻ (2), ^tBuSCS₂⁻ (3), (EtO)₂PS₂⁻ (4)) and [Ru(CO)(η²-(Me₂NCS₂))(μ,η²-Me₂NCS₂)]₂ (5). The lightly stabilized MeCN ligands of [Ru₂(CO)₄(MeCN)₆][BF₄]₂ are replaced more readily than the bound acetate ligands of [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-O₂CMe)₂(MeCN)₂] by thiolates to produce cis-[Ru(CO)₂(η²-(SS))₂] with less selectivity. Structures 1 and 5 were determined by X-ray crystallography. Although the two chelating dithiolates are cis to each other in 1, the dithiolates are trans to each other in each of the {Ru(CO)(η²-Me₂NCS₂)₂} fragment of 5. The dimeric product 5 can be prepared alternatively from the decarbonylation reaction of 1 with a suitable amount of Me₃NO in MeCN. However, the dimer [Ru(CO)(η²-Et₂NCS₂)(μ,η²-Et₂NCS₂)]₂ (6), prepared from the reaction of 2 with Me₃NO, has a structure different from 5. The spectral data of 6 probably indicate that the two chelating dithiolates are cis to each other in one {Ru(CO)(η²-Et₂NCS₂)₂}fragment but trans in the other. Both 5 and 6 react readily at ambient temperature with benzyl isocyanide to yield cis-[Ru(CO)(CNCH₂Ph)(η²-(SS))₂] ((SS)=Me₂NCS₂⁻ (7) and Et₂NCS₂⁻ (8)). A dimerization pathway for cis-[Ru(CO)₂(η²-(SS))₂] via decabonylation and isomerization is proposed.     

Formation of a THF adduct of the organometallic samarium oxide [(C5Me5) 2Sm]2(μ-O)

(C₅Me₅)₂Sm(THF)₂ reacts with 1,2-epoxybutane in toluene to form, in addition to the toluene soluble [(C₅ Me₅)₂Sm]₂(μ-O), 1, the hexane soluble [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm(THF)]₂(μ-O), 2. In hexane, 2 loses THF to form 1 as a precipitate, but 1 cannot be converted to 2 by addition of THF at room temperature. Compound 1 does convert to 2 in low yield in THF at reflux. The reaction of (C₅Me₅)₂SM(phthalan) with 1,2-epoxybutane generates 1 and a phthalan analog of 2, [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm(phthalan)]₂(μ,-O), 3. Compound 2 reacts with Me₃CCN to form [(C₅Me₅)₂Sm(NCCMe₃)]₂(μ-O), 4, by displacement of THF.     

Alkylaminophosphanyl substituted half-sandwich complexes of vanadium(III) and chromium(III): preparation and reactivity in ethylene polymerisation

[Cp^R(RPNEt₂)]M (Cp^R=t-BuC₅H₃, C₅(CH₃)₄, indenyl, fluorenyl; M=Li, K) smoothly react with VCl₃(Me₃P)₂ and CrCl₃(THF)₃ systems giving paramagnetic complexes [Cp^R(R¹PNEt₂)]MCl₂ (M=V(Me₃P)₂, Cr). After reaction with MAO these complexes are active in the polymerisation of ethylene yielding highly crystalline, high-density products of high molecular weight (M_w ranging from 100 000 to 4.5×10⁶ g mol⁻¹, 20≤T_p≤100 °C). Polymerisation with chromium complexes leads to the formation of polyethylenes with broad molecular weight distribution.     

The direct formation of ketones by reaction of methyl- and aryl-(carbonyl)(iodo)pentamethylcyclopentadienylrhodium complexes with organic iodides

[C₅Me₅Rh(aryl)(CO)I] reacts with methyl iodide to give [(C₅Me₅RhI₂)₂] and arylCOMe; similar reactions occur between [C₅Me₅Rh(Me)(CO)I] and RI to give the ketones RCOMe (R = Ph, Me, Et, or Pr).     

Intramolekulare Basenkoordination je nach Bedarf: Der 1-(Dimethylaminoethyl)-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-Ligand in der Komplexchemie von s-, p-, d- und f-Block-Elementen

The synthesis of cyclopentadienyl complexes containing the polydentate C₅Me₄(CH₂CH₂NMe₂) ligand is described. The compounds (C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂)₂M (M = Ca, Sm), (C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂ NMe₂)AIEt₂, [(C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂)M(CO)₂]₂ (M = Mo, Fe) and [(C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂)Fe(CO)₂]⁺BF₄^± are obtained by standard procedures. Except for the dimeric metal carbonyls, all cyclopentadienyl compounds are characterized by an additional intramolecular coordination of the nitrogen atom in the side chain.     

The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of some but-2-yne tungsten complexes of the type [WIX(CO){Ph2P(CH2)PPh2}(η-MeC2Me)] (X = Cl, Br, I, NO2, NO3, NCS or OH)

Reaction of the cationic complex [WI(CO)(NCMe){Ph₂P(CH₂)PPh₂}(η²-MeC₂ME)][BF₄] with an equimolar amount of MX (MX = NaCl, NaBr, NaI, KNO₂, KNO₃, NaNCS or KOH) in acetone at room temperature gave the neutral complex [WIX(CO){Ph₂P(CH₂)PPh₂}(η²-MeC₂Me)] (1–7) in good yield. Complexes 1–7 have been characterized by elemental analysis (C, H and N), IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Organopolysilane oligomers bearing transition-metal moieties: Synthesis, reactivities and molecular structure of [η-Me3SiMe2SiC5H4(CO)Fe(CO)2Fe(CO)-η-C5H4SiMe2SiME3]

Reaction of Me₃SiMe₂SiC₅H₅ (4), prepared from Me₃SiMe₂SiCl and C₅H₅Na, with Fe(CO)₅ in refluxing xylene afforded the title compound (3). The silicon-silicon bond in 3 is exceptionally stable in refluxing xylene and also in succeeding reactions to prepare a series of its derivatives. Thus, 3 reacted with I₂ in either chloroform or benzene, giving [η⁵-Me₃SiMe₂SiC₅H₄Fe(CO)₂I] (6). Compound 3 was reduced by sodium amalgam and reacted subsequently with CH₃I, PhCH₂Cl, CH₃COCl, PhCOCl, Cy₃SnCl (Cy = cyclohexyl) and Ph₃SnCl, producing [η⁵-Me₃SiMe₂SiC₅H₄Fe(CO)₂R][7 : R = CH₃ (a), PhCH₂ (b), CH₃CO (c), PhCO (d), Cy₃Sn (e) and Ph₃Sn (f), respectively]. The molecular structure of 3 has been determined by X-ray diffraction crystallography. It was found that 3 has a trans-configuration with a symmetrical centre located at the middle of the Fe---Fe bond. It is abnormal that the conformation of the disilane part around the Si---Si bond is almost eclipsed rather than staggered.     

The lively chemistry of the di-μ-methylene-bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-rhodium) complexes, analogues of surface reactions in heterogeneous catalysis

The chemistry of the di-μ-methylene-bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-rhodium) complexes is reviewed. The complex [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl₂}₂] (1a) reacted with MeLi to give, after oxidative work-up, blood-red cis-[{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(Me)₂], 2. This has the two rhodiums in the +4 oxidation state (d⁵), and linked by a metal-metal bond (2.620 Å). Trans-2 was formed on isomerisation of cis-2 in the presence of Lewis acids, or by direct reaction of 1a with Al₂Me₆, followed by dehydrogenation with acetone. The Rh-methyls in [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(Me)₂] were readily replaced under acidic conditions (HX) to give [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(X)₂] (X = Cl, Br or I); these latter complexes reacted with a variety of RMgX to give [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(R)₂] (R = alkyl, Ph, vinyl, etc.). Trans-2 also reacted with HBF₄ in the presence of L to give first [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(Me)(L)]⁺ and then [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(L)₂]²⁺ (L = MeCN, CO, etc.). The {(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂ core is rather kinetically inert and also forms a variety of complexes with oxy-ligands, both cis-, e.g. [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(μ-OAc)]⁺ and trans-, such as [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺. The complexes [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(R)L]⁺ (R = Me or aryl) in the presence of CO, or [{(η⁵-C₄Me₅)Rh(μ-CH₂)}₂(R)₂] (R = Me, Ph or CO₂Me) in the presence of mild oxidants, readily yield the C---C---C coupled products RCH=CH₂. The mechanisms of these couplings have been elucidated by detailed labelling studies: they are more complex than expected, but allow direct analogies to be drawn to C---C couplints that occur during Fischer-Tropsch reactions on rhodium surfaces.