Rhodium(I) phosphine complexes containing bidentate unsaturated thio ligands: II. Reactions with O2 and H2

The rhodium(I) complexes (Ph₃P)₂Rh[Me₂NC(S)NC(S)NMe₂], (Ph₃P)₂Rh[SC(S)NMe₂] and (Ph₃P)₂Rh[PhNC(S)NMe₂] react with O₂ to give 1/1 dioxygen adducts. In solution, trans-(Ph₃P)₂Rh(O₂)[Me₂NC(S)NC(S)NMe₂], cis- and trans-(Ph₃P)₂Rh(O₂)[SC(S)NMe₂] and cis- and trans-(Ph₃P)₂Rh(O₂)[PhNC(S)NMe₂] are observed. For (Ph₃P)₂Rh(O₂)[PhNC(S)NMe₂], there is a solvent effect on the initial cis—trans ratio and the rate of O=PPh₃ formation. In C₆H₆, O=PPh₃ formation from (Ph₃P)₂Rh(O₂)[PhNC(S)NMe₂] is inhibited by additional PPh₃.The reaction of (Ph₃P)₂Rh[Ph₂PC(S)NPh] with O₂ in the presence of additional PPh₃ gives O=PPh₃ and cis-(Ph₃P)₂Rh(O₂)[Ph₂P(O)C(S)NPh] as the only products. The same complex also can be prepared from (Ph₃P)₂Rh[Ph₂P(O)C(S)NPh] and O₂.Only (Ph₃P)₂Rh[PhNC(S)NMe₂] reacts with H₂ at room temperature to give (Ph₃P)₂RhH₂[PhNC(S)NMe₂], which is a catalyst for cyclohexene hydrogenation.