Ligand effects on rates and regioselectivities of Rh(I)-catalyzed (5 + 2) cycloadditions: a computational study of cyclooctadiene and dinaphthocyclooctatetraene as ligands

The first theoretical study on the effects of ligands on the mechanism, reactivities, and regioselectivities of Rh(I)-catalyzed (5 + 2) cycloadditions of vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) and alkynes has been performed using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Highly efficient and selective intermolecular (5 + 2) cycloadditions of VCPs and alkynes have been achieved recently using two novel rhodium catalysts, [Rh(dnCOT)](+)SbF(6)(-) and [Rh(COD)](+)SbF(6)(-), which provide superior reactivities and regioselectivities relative to that of the previously reported [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2) catalyst. Computationally, the high reactivities of the dnCOT and COD ligands are attributed to the steric repulsions that destabilize the Rh-product complex, the catalyst resting state in the catalytic cycle. The regioselectivities of reactions with various alkynes and different Rh catalysts are investigated, and a predictive model is provided that describes substrate-substrate and ligand-substrate steric repulsions, electronic effects, and noncovalent π/π and C-H/π interactions. In the reactions with dnCOT or COD ligands, the first new C-C bond is formed proximal to the bulky substituent on the alkyne to avoid ligand-substrate steric repulsions. This regioselectivity is reversed either by employing the smaller [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2) catalyst to diminish the ligand-substrate repulsions or by using aryl alkynes, for which the ligand-substrate interactions become stabilizing due to π/π and C-H/π dispersion interactions. Electron-withdrawing groups on the alkyne prefer to be proximal to the first new C-C bond to maximize metal-substrate back-bonding interactions. These steric, electronic, and dispersion effects can all be utilized in designing new ligands to provide regiochemical control over product formation with high selectivities. The computational studies reveal the potential of employing the dnCOT family of ligands to achieve unique regiochemical control due to the steric influences and dispersion interactions associated with the rigid aryl substituents on the ligand.     

Solvent-dependent interconversions between Rh(I), Rh(II), and Rh(III) complexes of an aryl-monophosphine ligand

Reaction of the aryl-monophosphine ligand alpha(2)-(diisopropylphosphino)isodurene (1) with the Rh(I) precursor [Rh(coe)(2)(acetone)(2)]BF(4) (coe=cyclooctene) in different solvents yielded complexes of all three common oxidation states of rhodium, depending on the solvent used. When the reaction was carried out in methanol a cyclometalated, solvent-stabilized Rh(III) alkyl-hydride complex (2) was obtained. However, when the reaction was carried out in acetone or dichloromethane a dinuclear eta(6)-arene Rh(II) complex (5) was obtained in the absence of added redox reagents. Moreover, when acetonitrile was added to a solution of either the Rh(II) or Rh(III) complexes, a new solvent-stabilized, noncyclometalated Rh(I) complex (6) was obtained. In this report we describe the different complexes, which were fully characterized, and probe the processes behind the remarkable solvent effect observed.     

NiN(2)S(2) complexes as metallodithiolate ligands to Rh(I), Rh(II) and Rh(III)

Three molecular structures are reported which utilize the NiN(2)S(2) ligands -, (bis(mercaptoethyl)diazacyclooctane)nickel and -', bis(mercaptoethyl)diazacycloheptane)nickel, as metallodithiolate ligands to rhodium in oxidation states i, ii and iii. For the Rh(I) complex, the NiN(2)S(2) unit behaves as a bidentate ligand to a square planar Rh(I)(CO)(PPh(3))(+) moiety with a hinge or dihedral angle (defined as the intersection of NiN(2)S(2) and S(2)Rh(C)(P) planes) of 115 degrees . Supported by -' ligands, the Rh(II) oxidation state occurs in a dirhodium C(4) paddlewheel complex wherein four NiN(2)S(2) units serve as bidentate bridging ligands to two singly-bonded Rh(II) ions at 2.893(8) A apart. A compilation of the remarkable range of M-M distances in paddlewheel complexes which use NiN(2)S(2) complexes as paddles is presented. The Rh(III) state is found as a tetrametallic [Rh(-')(3)](3+) cluster, roughly shaped like a boat propeller and structurally similar to tris(bipyridine)metal complexes.     

Methylene transfer from SnMe groups mediated by a rhodium(I) pincer complex: Sn-C, C-C, and C-H bond activation

The PCP-Rh(I) complex 1a based on the [1,3-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(diisopropylphosphine) ligand reacts with [diazo(phenyl)methyl]trimethylstannane (2) at room temperature to give novel pincer-type phenyl(dimethylstannyl)methylene]hydrazinato complex 3a. The reaction sequence involves a unique combination of Sn-C bond cleavage, C-C bond formation, C-H activation and intramolecular deprotonation of a rhodium hydride intermediate, which results in methylene transfer from an SnMe group to the pincer system and PCP-chelate expansion. A methylene-transfer reaction was also demonstrated with tetramethyltin as the methylene source in the presence of KOC(CH(3))(3) at room temperature. The resulting unstable "chelate-expanded" Rh(I) complex [(C(10)H(5)(CH(2)PiPr(2))(2))(CH(2))Rh(L)] (L=N(2), THF; 4a) was isolated as its carbonyl derivative 5a. Heating 4a in benzene yielded an equimolar amount of toluene and 1a, which demonstrates the ability of the Rh(I) pincer complex to extract a methylene group from an unactivated alkyl tin substrate and transfer it, via C-C followed by C-H activation, to an arene. Use of fluorobenzene resulted in formation of fluorotoluene. Catalytic methylene-group transfer mediated by 1a was not possible, because of formation of o-xylylene complex 8 under the reaction conditions. Steric parameters play a decisive role in the reactivity with tin compounds; while iPrP derivative 1 a underwent facile reactions, tBuP complex 1b was inert.     

Substrate and Solvent Influence on the Photochemical C-H Bond Activation Reactivity of (HBPz'(3))Rh(CO)(2) (Pz' = 3,5-Dimethylpyrazolyl)

The photochemically-induced intermolecular C-H bond activation reaction of (HBPz'(3))Rh(CO)(2) (Pz' = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl) has been investigated in various hydrocarbon solutions at 293 K following excitation at 366 and 458 nm. UV-visible and FTIR spectra recorded throughout photolysis illustrate that the dicarbonyl complex can be converted readily to the corresponding (HBPz'(3))Rh(CO)(R)H derivatives at each of the excitation wavelengths. The photochemistry proceeds without interference from secondary photoprocesses or thermal reactions and the reactivity has been measured quantitatively with the determination of absolute quantum efficiencies for intermolecular C-H bond activation (phi(CH)). These measurements indicate that the C-H activation reaction proceeds very efficiently (phi(CH) = 0.13-0.32) on excitation at 366 nm but is much less effective (phi(CH) = 0.0059-0.011) on photolysis at 458 nm for each of the hydrocarbon substrates. The observed dependence of phi(CH) on irradiation wavelength is consistent with different reactivities from two rapidly dissociating low-energy ligand field (LF) excited states and the generation of monocarbonyl (HBPz'(3))Rh(CO) and ligand-dechelated (eta(2)-HBPz'(3))Rh(CO)(2) intermediates upon UV and visible excitation, respectively. The former species is attributed to be responsible for the unusually efficient C-H bond activation, whereas it is suggested that the latter complex effectively lowers the quantum efficiency by undergoing a facile eta(2)-->eta(3) ligand rechelation process. Significantly, the photoefficiencies are found to be unaffected on increasing the dissolved CO concentration, illustrating that the monocarbonyl reaction intermediate is extremely short-lived and is solvated before CO is able to coordinate. Additionally, the lack of a [CO] dependence on phi(CH) indicates that this solvated intermediate is not subject to a competitive back-reaction with CO prior to the C-H activation step, illustrating that the quantum efficiencies in (HBPz'(3))Rh(CO)(2) appear to be solely determined by the branching ratio between the dissociative and nondissociative routes. At any particular excitation wavelength the photoefficiencies are observed to be similar across the series of alkanes but are significantly reduced for the aromatic solvents, even though the aryl hydrido photoproducts are found to be more thermodynamically stable. These phi(CH) differences are also rationalized in terms of photophysical effects on the upper LF level and are related to variations in the nonradiative relaxation rates for the excited (HBPz'(3))Rh(CO)(2) complex in the hydrocarbon solutions.     

Discrete Rh(III)/Fe(II) and Rh(III)/Fe(II)/Co(III) cyanide-bridged mixed valence compounds

The heterotrinuclear complexes trans- and cis-[{cis-VI-L(15)Rh(III)(μ-NC)}{trans-III-L(14S)Co(III)(μ-NC)}Fe(II)(CN)(4)](2+) are unprecedented examples of mixed valence complexes based on ferrocyanide bearing three different metal centers. These complexes have been assembled in a stepwise manner from their {trans-III-L(14S)Co(III)}, {cis-VI-L(15)Rh(III)}, and {Fe(II)(CN)(6)} building blocks. The preparative procedure follows that found for other known discrete assemblies of mixed valence dinuclear Cr(III)/Fe(II) and polynuclear Co(III)/Fe(II) complexes of the same family. A simple slow substitution process of [Fe(II)(CN)(6)](4-) on inert cis-VI-[Rh(III)L(15)(OH)](2+) leads to the preparation of the new dinuclear mixed valence complex [{cis-VI-L(15)Rh(III)(μ-NC)}Fe(II)(CN)(5)](-) with a redox reactivity that parallels that found for dinuclear complexes from the same family. The combination of this dinuclear precursor with mononuclear trans-III-[Co(III)L(14S)Cl](2+) enables a redox-assisted substitution on the transient {L(14S)Co(II)} unit to form [{cis-VI-L(15)Rh(III)(μ-NC)}{trans-III-L(14S)Co(III)(μ-NC)}Fe(II)(CN)(4)](2+). The structure of the final cis-[{cis-VI-L(15)Rh(III)(μ-NC)}{trans-III-L(14S)Co(III)(μ-NC)}Fe(II)(CN)(4)](2+) complex has been established via X-ray diffraction and fully agrees with its solution spectroscopy and electrochemistry data. The new species [{cis-VI-L(15)Rh(III)(μ-NC)}{trans-III-L(14S)Co(III)(μ-NC)}Fe(II)(CN)(4)](2+) and [{cis-VI-L(15)Rh(III)(μ-NC)}Fe(II)(CN)(5)](-) show the expected electronic spectra and electrochemical features typical of Class II mixed valence complexes. Interestingly, in the trinuclear complex, these features appear to be a simple addition of those for the Rh(III)/Fe(II) and Co(III)/Fe(II) moieties, despite the vast differences existent in the electronic spectra and electrochemical properties of the two isolated units.     

Mononuclear Rh(II) PNP-type complexes. Structure and reactivity

The Rh(II) mononuclear complexes [(PNPtBu)RhCl][BF4] (2), [(PNPtBu)Rh(OC(O)CF3)][OC(O)CF3] (4), and [(PNPtBu)Rh(acetone)][BF4]2 (6) were synthesized by oxidation of the corresponding Rh(I) analogs with silver salts. On the other hand, treatment of (PNPtBu)RhCl with AgOC(O)CF3 led only to chloride abstraction, with no oxidation. 2 and 6 were characterized by X-ray diffraction, EPR, cyclic voltammetry, and dipole moment measurements. 2 and 6 react with NO gas to give the diamagnetic complexes [(PNPtBu)Rh(NO)Cl][BF4] (7) and [(PNPtBu)Rh(NO)(acetone)][BF4]2 (8) respectively. 6 is reduced to Rh(I) in the presence of phosphines, CO, or isonitriles to give the Rh(I) complexes [(PNPtBu)Rh(PR3)][BF4] (11, 12) (R = Et, Ph), [(PNPtBu)Rh(CO)][BF4] (13) and [(PNPtBu)Rh(L)][BF4] (15, 16) (L = tert-butyl isonitrile or 2,6-dimethylphenyl isonitrile), respectively. On the other hand, 2 disproportionates to Rh(I) and Rh(III) complexes in the presence of acetonitrile, isonitriles, or CO. 2 is also reduced by triethylphosphine and water to Rh(I) complexes [(PNPtBu)RhCl] (1) and [(PNPtBu)Rh(PEt3)][BF4] (11). When triphenylphosphine and water are used, the reduced Rh(I) complex reacts with a proton, which is formed in the redox reaction, to give a Rh(III) complex with a coordinated BF4, [(PNPtBu)Rh(Cl)(H)(BF4)] (9).     

Carbon-halide oxidative addition and carbon-carbon reductive elimination at a (PNP)Rh center

An unsaturated (PNP)Rh fragment can be generated by means of C-C reductive elimination from (PNP)Rh(Me)(Ar) or (PNP)Rh(Ar)(Ar). This fragment undergoes carbon-halogen oxidative addition with aryl chlorides, bromides, and iodides at room temperature. The C-H oxidative addition products in reactions with haloarenes are not observed, and evidence is presented that carbon-halogen oxidative addition is thermodynamically preferred. C-C reductive elimination from (PNP)Rh(Me)(Ar) and (PNP)Rh(Ar)(Ar) proceeds near quantitatively as a clean, first-order reaction.     

Cationic carbonyl complexes of rhodium(I) and rhodium(III): syntheses,vibrational spectra,NMR studies,and molecular structures of tetrakis(carbonyl)rhodium(I) heptachlorodialuminate and -gallate, [Rh(CO)4][Al2Cl7] and [Rh(CO)4][Ga2Cl7

Dimeric rhodium(I) bis(carbonyl) chloride, [Rh(CO)(2)(mu-Cl)](2), is found to be a useful and convenient starting material for the syntheses of new cationic carbonyl complexes of both rhodium(I) and rhodium(III). Its reaction with the Lewis acids AlCl(3) or GaCl(3) produces in a CO atmosphere at room temperature the salts [Rh(CO)(4)][M(2)Cl(7)] (M = Al, Ga), which are characterized by Raman spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data for [Rh(CO)(4)][Al(2)Cl(7)]: triclinic, space group Ponemacr; (No. 2); a = 9.705(3), b = 9.800(2), c = 10.268(2) A; alpha = 76.52(2), beta = 76.05(2), gamma = 66.15(2) degrees; V = 856.7(5) A(3); Z = 2; T = 293 K; R(1) [I > 2sigma(I)] = 0.0524, wR(2) = 0.1586. Crystal data for [Rh(CO)(4)][Ga(2)Cl(7)]: triclinic, space group Ponemacr; (No. 2); a = 9.649(1), b = 9.624(1), c = 10.133(1) A; alpha = 77.38(1), beta = 76.13(1), gamma = 65.61(1) degrees; V = 824.4(2) A(3); Z = 2; T = 143 K; R(1) [I > 2sigma(I)] = 0.0358, wR(2) = 0.0792. Structural parameters for the square planar cation [Rh(CO)(4)](+) are compared to those of isoelectronic [Pd(CO)(4)](2+) and of [Pt(CO)(4)](2+). Dissolution of [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2) in HSO(3)F in a CO atmosphere allows formation of [Rh(CO)(4)](+)((solv)). Oxidation of [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2) by S(2)O(6)F(2) in HSO(3)F results in the formation of ClOSO(2)F and two seemingly oligomeric Rh(III) carbonyl fluorosulfato intermediates, which are easily reduced by CO addition to [Rh(CO)(4)](+)((solv)). Controlled oxidation of this solution with S(2)O(6)F(2) produces fac-Rh(CO)(3)(SO(3)F)(3) in about 95% yield. This Rh(III) complex can be reduced by CO at 25 degrees C in anhydrous HF to give [Rh(CO)(4)](+)((solv)); addition of SbF(5) at -40 degrees C to the resulting solution allows isolation of [Rh(CO)(4)][Sb(2)F(11)], which is found to have a highly symmetrical (D(4)(h)()) [Sb(2)F(11)](-) anion. Oxidation of [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2) in anhydrous HF by F(2), followed in a second step by carbonylation in the presence of SbF(5), is found to be a simple, straightforward route to pure [Rh(CO)(5)Cl][Sb(2)F(11)](2), which has previously been structurally characterized by us. All new complexes are characterized by vibrational and NMR spectroscopy. Assignment of the vibrational spectra and interpretation of the structural data are supported by DFT calculations.     

Molecular structures and excited states of CpM(CO)(2) (Cp = eta(5)-C(5)H(5); M = Rh, Ir) and [Cl(2)Rh(CO)(2)](-). Theoretical evidence for a competitive charge transfer mechanism

Molecular structures and excited states of CpM(CO)(2) (Cp = eta(5)-C(5)H(5); M = Rh, Ir) and [Cl(2)Rh(CO)(2)](-) complexes have been investigated using the B3LYP and the symmetry-adapted cluster (SAC)/SAC-configuration interaction (SAC-CI) theoretical methods. All the dicarbonyl complexes have singlet ground electronic states with large singlet-triplet separations. Thermal dissociations of CO from the parent dicarbonyls are energetically unfavorable. CO thermal dissociation is an activation process for [Cl(2)Rh(CO)(2)](-) while it is a repulsive potential for CpM(CO)(2). The natures of the main excited states of CpM(CO)(2) and [Cl(2)Rh(CO)(2)](-) are found to be quite different. For [Cl(2)Rh(CO)(2)](-), all the strong transitions are identified to be metal to ligand CO charge transfer (MLCT) excitations. A significant feature of the excited states of CpM(CO)(2) is that both MLCT excitation and a ligand Cp to metal and CO charge transfer excitation are strongly mixed in the higher energy states with the latter having the largest oscillator strength. A competitive charge transfer excited state has therefore been identified theoretically for CpRh(CO)(2) and CpIr(CO)(2). The wavelength dependence of the quantum efficiencies for the photoreactions of CpM(CO)(2) reported by Lees et al. can be explained by the existence of two different types of excited states. The origin of the low quantum efficiencies for the C-H/S-H bond activations of CpM(CO)(2) can be attributed to the smaller proportion of the MLCT excitation in the higher energy states.     

Interception of a Rh(I)-Rh(III) dinuclear trihydride complex revealing the dihydrogen activation by [Rh(CO)2{(R,R)-Ph-BPE}

Reaction of [Rh(CO)(2){(R,R)-Ph-BPE}][BF(4)] 1 under 7 bar H(2) provides the dihydride [Rh(H)(2)(CO)(2){(R,R)-Ph-BPE}][BF(4)] 3, which reacts with the neutral hydride [Rh(H)(CO){(R,R)-Ph-BPE}] 2 arising from 3 in THF. The resulting complex is the dimeric monocationic Rh((I))-Rh((III)) complex [Rh(H)(2)(CO)(2){(R,R)-Ph-BPE}][BF(4)] 4.     

Synthesis and reactivity of fluoro complexes: Part 2. Rhodium(I) fluoro complexes with alkene and phosphine ligands. Synthesis of the first isolated rhodium(I) bifluoride complexes. Structure of [Rh3(mu3-OH)2(COD)(3)](HF2) by X-ray powder diffraction

The reaction between [Rh(mu-OH)(COD)](2) (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and 73% HF in THF gives [Rh(3)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(COD)(3)](HF(2)) (1). Its crystal structure, determined by ab initio X-ray powder diffraction methods (from conventional laboratory data), contains complex trimetallic cations linked together in 1D chains by a mu(3)-OH...F-H-F...HO-mu(3) sequence of strong hydrogen bonds. The complex [Rh(mu-F)(COE)(2)](2) (COE = cyclooctene; 2), prepared by reacting [Rh(mu-OH)(COE)(2)](2) with NEt(3).3HF (3:2), has been characterized. Complex 1 reacts with PR(3) (1:3) to give [RhF(COD)(PR(3))] [R = Ph (3), C(6)H(4)OMe-4 (4), (i)Pr (5), Cy (6)] that can be prepared directly by reacting [Rh(mu-OH)(COD)](2) with 73% HF and PR(3) (1:2:2). The reactions of 1 with PPh(3) or Et(3)P have been studied by NMR spectroscopy at different molar ratios. Complexes [RhF(PEt(3))(3)] (7), [RhF(COD)(PEt(3))] (8), and [RhF(PPh(3))(3)] (9) have been detected. The complex [Rh(F)(NBD)(iPr(3)P)] (NBD = norbornadiene; 10) was prepared by the sequential treatment of [Rh(mu-OMe)(NBD)](2) with 1 equiv of NEt(3).3HF and (i)Pr(3)P. The first isolated bifluoride rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(FHF)(COD)(PR(3))] [R = Ph (11), (i)Pr (12), Cy (13)], obtained by reacting fluoro complexes 3, 5, and 6 with NEt(3).3HF (3:1), have been characterized. The crystal structures of 3 and 11 have been determined.     

Silver(I) complexes in coordination supramolecular system with bulky acridine-based ligands: syntheses, crystal structures, and theoretical investigations on C-H...Ag close interaction

In our efforts to investigate the coordination architectures of transition metals and organic ligands with tailored structures, we have prepared two structurally related rigid bulky acridine-based ligands, 9-[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]- acridine (L(1)) and 9-(1-imidazolyl)acridine (L2), and synthesized and characterized four of their Ag(I) complexes, {[AgL1](ClO4)}2 (1), {[AgL1](NO3)}2 (2), [AgL2(2)](ClO4) (3), and {[(Ag3L2(3))(NO3)](NO3)2(H2O)}(infinity) (4). The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the structures of 1 and 2 are similar to each other, with the two intramolecular Ag(I) centers of each complex being encircled by two L1 ligands; this forms a unique boxlike cyclic dimer, which is further linked to form one-dimensional (1D) chains of 1 and a two-dimensional (2D) network of 2 by intermolecular face-to-face pi...pi stacking and/or weak C-H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions, respectively. 3 has a mononuclear structure, which is further assembled into a 2D network via intermolecular Ag...O and pi...pi stacking weak interactions. 4 possesses two different 1D motifs that are further interlinked through interlayer face-to-face pi...pi stacking and Ag...O weak interactions, resulting in a 2D network. It is worth noting that one of the interesting structural features of 1, 2, and 4 is the presence of obvious C-H...M hydrogen-bonding interactions between the Ag centers and some acridine ring H atoms identified by X-ray diffraction on the basis of the van der Waals radii. Furthermore, as a representative example, full geometry optimization on the basis of the experimental structure, the natural bond orbital (NBO), and topological analysis of 1 were carried out by DFT and AIM (Atoms in Molecules) calculations. The total C-H...Ag interaction energy in 1 is estimated to be about 14 kJ/mol. Therefore, this work offers three new rare examples (1, 2, and 4) that exhibit C-H...Ag weak interactions, in which the N donors of the acridine rings coordinate to Ag(I) ions. Also, these results strongly support the existence of C-H...Ag close interactions and allow us to have a better understanding of the nature of such interactions in the coordination supramolecular systems.     

Deprotonation induced ligand-to-metal electron transfer: synthesis of a mixed-valence Rh(-I,I) dinuclear compound and its reaction with dioxygen

Treatment of bis(2-picolyl)amine (bpa) with [{Rh(nbd)(mu-OMe)}2] leads to the unexpected and unique redox asymmetric dinuclear Rh-I,Rh+I complex [{Rh(nbd)}2(bpa-2H)] (2) with a pi-coordinating imine bound to a tetrahedral low valent rhodate(-I). Mono-oxygenation of the deprotonated bpa ligand in 2 by O2 leads to the mononuclear carboxamido complex [Rh(nbd)(bpam-H)] (3) (bpam = N-(2-picolyl)picolinamide). The second O atom of O2 ends up as a hydroxo fragment in [{Rh(nbd)(mu-OH)}2].     

Synthesis and structural characterization of two novel heterometallic clusters: [Rh4Pt2(CO)11(dppm)2] and [Ru2Rh2Pt2(CO)12(dppm)2

Two novel heterometallic octahedral clusters [Rh(4)Pt(2)(CO)(11)(dppm)(2)](1) and [Ru(2)Rh(2)Pt(2)(CO)(12)(dppm)(2)](2) were synthesized by the reaction of [Rh(2)Pt(2)(CO)(6)(dppm)(2)] with [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(NCMe)(2)] and Ru(3)(CO)(12), respectively. Solid state structures of 1 and 2 have been established by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Two dppm ligands in 1 are bonded to one platinum and three rhodium atoms, which form an equatorial plane of the Rh(4)Pt(2) octahedron. Two rhodium and two platinum atoms bound to the diphosphine ligands in 2 are nonplanar to give an octahedral C2 symmetric Ru(2)Rh(2)Pt(2)(dppm)2 framework. The (31)P NMR investigation of and (1D, (31)P COSY, (31)P-[(103)Rh] HMQC) and simulation of 1D spectral patterns showed that in both clusters the structures of the M(6)(PP)(2) fragments found in the solid state are maintained in solution.     

C-C versus C-H activation and versus agostic C-C interaction controlled by electron density at the metal center

Based on the PCN ligand 2, a remarkable degree of control over C-C versus C-H bond activation and versus formation of an agostic C-C complex was demonstrated by choice of cationic [Rh(CO)(n)(C(2)H(4))(2-n)] (n=0, 1, 2) precursors. Whereas reaction of 2 with [Rh(C(2)H(4))(2)(solv)(n)]BF(4) results in exclusive C-C bond activation to yield product 5, reaction with the dicarbonyl precursor [Rh(CO)(2)(solv)(n)]BF(4) leads to formation of the C-H activated complex 9. The latter process is promoted by intramolecular deprotonation of the C-H bond by the hemilabile amine arm of the PCN ligand. The mixed monocarbonyl monoethylene Rh species [Rh(CO)(C(2)H(4))]BF(4) reacts with the PCN ligand 2 to give an agostic complex 7. The C-C activated complex 5 is easily converted to the C-H activated one (9) by reaction with CO; the reaction proceeds by a unique sequence of 1,2-metal-to-carbon methyl shift, agostic interaction, and C-H activation processes. Similarly, the C-C agostic complex 7 is converted to the same C-H activated product 9 by treatment with CO.     

Theoretical study of reaction pathways for the rhodium phosphine-catalysed borylation of C-H bonds with pinacolborane

The reaction mechanism of the rhodium-phosphine catalysed borylation of methyl-substituted arenes using pinacolborane (HBpin) has been investigated theoretically using DFT calculations at the B3PW91 level. Factors affecting selectivity for benzylic vs. aromatic C-H bond activation have been examined. It was found that [Rh(PR3)2(H)] is the active species which oxidatively adds the C-H bond leading to an eta3-benzyl complex which is the key to determining the unusual benzylic regioselectivity observed experimentally for this catalyst system. Subsequent reaction with HBpin leads to a [Rh(PR3)2(eta3-benzyl)(H)(Bpin)] complex from which B-C reductive elimination provides product and regenerates the catalyst. The electrophilic nature of the boryl ligand assists in the reductive elimination process. In contrast to Ir(L)2(boryl)3-based catalysts, for which Ir(III)-Ir(V) cycles have been proposed, the Rh(I)-Rh(III) cycle is operating with the system addressed herein.     

The synthesis, structure and dynamic behaviour of disubstituted alkenylphosphine derivatives of [Rh6(CO)16

A series of [Rh(6)(CO)(16)] substituted derivatives containing Ph(2)P(alkenyl) ligands has been synthesized starting from the [Rh(6)(CO)(16-x)(NCMe)(x)](x= 1, 2) clusters and Ph(2)P((CH(2))(n)CH=CH(2))(n= 2, 3) phosphines. It was shown that the terminal alkenyl substituents in these phosphines easily undergo isomerization in the coordination sphere of the hexarhodium complexes to give the allyl -CH(2)CH=C(H)R (R = Me and Et) fragments coordinated through the double bond of the rearranged organic moieties. The solid-state structure of two clusters, [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=C(H)CH(3))](4) and [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=C(H)CH(2)CH(3))](8), was established by X-ray crystallography. Solution structures of the products obtained were also characterized by IR and NMR ((1)H, (31)P, (1)H-(1)H COSY and (1)H-(1)H NOE) spectroscopy. It was shown that 4 and 8 exist in solution as mixtures of three isomers (A, B and C), which differ in the conformation of the coordinated allyl fragment. A similar (two species, A and B) equilibrium was found to occur in the solution of the [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=CH(2))](2) cluster. The dynamic behaviour of 2, 4 and 8[Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH=CH(2))] has been studied using VT (31)P and (1)H-(1)H NOESY NMR spectroscopy, rate constants and activation parameters of the (A<-->B) isomerization processes were determined. It was shown that the most probable mechanism of this isomerization involves a dissociative [Rh6(CO)(14)(kappa1-Ph(2)P(alkenyl))] intermediate and re-coordination of the double bond to the same metal atom where the process started from. The conversion of the A and B species in and into the third isomer very likely occurs through the transfer of an allyl hydrogen atom onto the rhodium skeleton to give eventually cis conformation of the coordinated allyl fragment.     

A mechanistic investigation of oxidative addition of methyl iodide to [Tp*Rh(CO)(L)

Reaction of methyl iodide with square planar [kappa(2)-Tp*Rh(CO)(PMe(3))] 1a (Tp* = HB(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)) at room temperature affords [kappa(3)-Tp*Rh(CO)(PMe(3))(Me)]I 2a, which was fully characterized by spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The pseudooctahedral geometry of cationic 2a, which contains a kappa(3)-coordinated Tp* ligand, indicates a reaction mechanism in which nucleophilic attack by Rh on MeI is accompanied by coordination of the pendant pyrazolyl group. In solution 2a transforms slowly into a neutral (acetyl)(iodo) rhodium complex [kappa(3)-Tp*Rh(PMe(3))(COMe)I] 3a, for which an X-ray crystal structure is also reported. Kinetic studies on the reactions of [kappa(2)-Tp*Rh(CO)(L)] (L = PMe(3), PMe(2)Ph, PMePh(2), PPh(3), CO)] with MeI show second-order behavior with large negative activation entropies, consistent with an S(N)2 mechanism. The second-order rate constants correlate well with phosphine basicity. For L = CO, reaction with MeI gives an acetyl complex, [kappa(3)-Tp*Rh(CO)(COMe)I]. The bis(pyrazolyl)borate complexes [kappa(2)-Bp*Rh(CO)(L)] (L = PPh(3), CO) are much less reactive toward MeI than the Tp* analogues, indicating the importance of the third pyrazolyl group and the accessibility of a kappa(3) coordination mode. The results strengthen the evidence in favor of an S(N)2 mechanism for oxidative addition of MeI to square planar d(8) transition metal complexes.     

New Rh(I) and Rh(III) bisimidazol-2-ylidene complexes: synthesis,reactivity, and molecular structures

New chelate bis-heterocyclic-carbene complexes of Rh(I) and Rh(III) have been obtained and fully characterized. The molecular structures of the new species have been determined. The synthesis of the compounds starts from the bisimidazolium precursors, which are deprotonated with NEt(3) under mild reaction conditions, leading to coordination to the Rh complex. The Rh(III) compounds are generated from Rh(I) and [Rh(II)](2) species, although there is no apparent oxidizing agent in the reaction media.