Iridium and rhodium nitrosyl complexes with methylated 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2' -bipyridine ligands

Summary Dicationic nitrosyl complexes of rhodium and iridium with methyl-substituted 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2-bipyridine have been synthesized and characterized. The general formula for these complexes is of the type [M(NO)(N--N)(PPh3)₂]^* where M = Rh and Ir, and (N-N) is the nitrogen chelating ligand. The 1H and³¹P n.m.r. spectra of these complexes have been studied in order to establish the geometric conformation of these pentacoordinate nitrosyl complexes. On the basis of i.r and¹ H and³¹ P n.m.r. data a formal octahedral geometry, with linear apical nitrosyl group, equatorial phosphines and chelating ligands and coordinated water, is proposed. Trigonal bipyramid and square pyramid geometries are discussed.