[2+2+2] Cycloaddition reaction with the participation of unsaturated ketones catalyzed by an Rh(i)—Sn(ii) system

Codimerization of vinyl ketones with metallylacetone or metallylacetophenone in the presence of [RhCl(C₂H₄)₂]₂-SnCl₂ affords substitutedendo-2-acyl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes, the products of the formal [2+2+2] cycloaddition.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2280–2283, November, 1995.We thank Uve Ihhoff (Moscow Representative of Bruker GmbH) for the provision of their AMX 400 spectrometer.     

Cl/Cl isotope effects in Rh NMR of [RhCln(H2O)6−n] complex anions in hydrochloric acid solution as a unique ‘NMR finger-print’ for unambiguous speciation

A detailed analysis of the ³⁵Cl/³⁷Cl isotope effects observed in the 19.11 MHz ¹⁰³Rh NMR resonances of [RhCl_n(H₂O)_6−n]³⁻ⁿ complexes (n = 3–6) in acidic solution at 292.1 K, shows that the ‘fine structure’ of each ¹⁰³Rh resonance can be understood in terms of the unique isotopologue and in certain instances the isotopomer distribution in each complex. These ³⁵Cl/³⁷Cl isotope effects in the ¹⁰³Rh NMR resonance of the [Rh^35/37Cl₆]³⁻ species manifest only as a result of the statistically expected ³⁵Cl/³⁷Cl isotopologues, whereas for the aquated species such as for example [Rh^35/37Cl₅(H₂O)]²⁻, cis-[Rh^35/37Cl₄(H₂O)₂]⁻ as well as the mer-[Rh^35/37Cl₃(H₂O)₃] complexes, additional fine-structure due to the various possible isotopomers within each class of isotopologues, is visible. Of interest is the possibility of the direct identification of stereoisomers cis-[RhCl₄(H₂O)₂]⁻, trans-[RhCl₄(H₂O)₂]⁻, fac-[RhCl₃(H₂O)₃] and mer-[RhCl₃(H₂O)₃] based on the ¹⁰³Rh NMR line shape, other than on the basis of their very similar δ(¹⁰³Rh) chemical shift. The ¹⁰³Rh NMR resonance structure thus serves as a novel and unique ‘NMR-fingerprint’ leading to the unambiguous assignment of [RhCl_n(H₂O)_6−n]³⁻ⁿ complexes (n = 3–6), without reliance on accurate δ(¹⁰³Rh) chemical shifts.     

Das Tris(cyclopentadienyl)methylsilan-Trianion – ein neues Ligandensystem und Komplexbildung mit Rhodium

The Tris(cyclopentadienyl)methylsilane Trianion – a New Ligand System and Complex Formation with Rhodium Starting from MeSiCl₃ the title compound was synthesized by two steps as the virtually insoluble trithallium salt ( 1 ). Reaction of 1 with [(C₂H₄)₂RhCl]₂ in pentane gives {MeSi[C₅H₄Rh(C₂H₄)₂]₃} ( 2 ). Under UV irradiation of 2 in pentane in the presence of benzene only two [C₅H₄Rh(C₂H₄)₂] units of 2 react with loss of ethene and formation of the μ-η³ : η³ benzene compound {MeSi[(C₅H₄Rh)₂(C₆H₆)][C₅H₄Rh(C₂H₄)₂]} ( 3 ). The novel complexes 2 and 3 were characterized spectroscopically and by X-ray structure analysis.     

On the structure of Pd,Pt and Rh complexes with 1,5-hexadiene

A number of halogen complexes of Pd, Pt and Rh with 1,5-hexadiene have been synthesized;three of them, C₆H₁₀PdBr₂, C₆H₁₀PtBr₂ and (C₆H₁₀RhCl)₂, for the first time. An intermediate while preparing C₆H₁₀PdCl₂ was the polynuclear polymeric moiety [C₆H₁₀(PdCl₂)₄]_n· IR, Raman and ESCA spectroscopy show that the diallylic ligand in all the complexes has the cis-configuration and that the strength of the metaldiallyl bond increases in the series Pd < Pt < Rh.     

Synthese und reaktivität von [C5Me5Rh(μ-PMe2)]2: Additions- und insertionsreaktionen von sauerstoff und seinen homologen an die Rh2P2-einheit

[C₅Me₅Rh(μ-PMe₂)₂] (I) has been prepared from [C₅Me₅RhCl₂]₂ via C₅Me₅Rh(PMe₂H)Cl₂ (II) as intermediate. Complex I reacts with oxygen and its congeners E_n (E = O, S, Se, Te) to form three different types of products (VII–XI) which originate from addition of E to the RhRh or insertion of E into one or two of the RhP bonds. Protonation of I with CF₃CO₂H/NH₄PF₆ yields [(C₅Me₅Rh)₂(μ-H)(μ-PMe₂)₂]PF₆ (VI). The synthesis of [C₅Me₅Rh(μ-PPh₂)]₂ (XIII) is also described.     

A functionalised diphosphine as a (PN)-binucleating ligand: X-ray structure of the `double A-frame' complex [RhCl(BTPE)]2][RhCl4(BTPE)]2·χCHCl3 (BTPE = (C7H4NS)2PCH2CH2P(C7H4NS)2)

Treatment of [RhCl(PPh₃)₃] with (C₇H₄NS)₂PCH₂CH₂P(C₇H₄NS)₂ (BTPE) in tetrahydrofuran gives the complex [RhCl(PPh₃)(BTPE)] which oxidises in the presence of CHCl₃ to form [RhCl(BTPE)]₂][RhCl₄(BTPE)]₂, whose X-ray structure shows the cation to have the BTPE spanning two rhodiums by PN ligation.     

Zweikernige silylenverbrückte Cyclopentadienylrhodiumbis(ethen)-Komplexe,photochemische Reaktion mit Benzolderivaten und selektiver Einschluß von Methylcyclopentan in das Kristallgitter von [Me2Si{3-But-C5H3Rh(C2H4)2}2]

Dinuclear Silylene Bridged Cyclopentadienylrhodiumbis(ethene) Complexes, Photochemical Reaction with Benzene Derivatives, and Selective Inclusion of Methylcyclopentane into the Crystal Lattice of [Me₂Si{3-Bu^t-C₅H₃Rh(C₂H₄)₂}₂] By reaction of [{(C₂H₄)₂RhCl}₂] with Na₂[Me₂Si(C₅H₄)₂] or with Li₂[Me₂Si(3-Bu^t-C₅H₃)₂] in THF the dinuclear silylene bridged complexes [Me₂Si{C₅H₄Rh(C₂H₄)₂}₂] 1 and [Me₂Si{3-Bu^t-C₅H₃Rh(C₂H₄)₂}₂] 2 , respectively, were synthesized. Due to the asymmetric substitution of the five-membered rings and their hindered rotation around the Si? C axes, 2 is formed as three isomers. The X-ray structure analysis of 2 obtained from hexane reveals the selective inclusion of methylcyclopentane, the content of which in the solvent is about 17%, into the crystal lattice. UV irradiation of 1 in hexane in the presence of benzene causes elimination of the ethene ligands yielding the μ-η³:η³ benzene complex [Me₂Si(C₅H₄Rh₂)₂C₆H₆] which cannot be separated from unreacted 1 . However, separation is possible in case of the hexamethylbenzene compound 4 analogous with 3 .     

SiO2-Supported Highly Dispersed Rh Catalysts

A series of Rh/SiO₂ catalysts were prepared by a sol-gel method, characterized by N₂ physical adsorption, H₂ chemisorption and FTIR, and studied in the hydrogenolysis of propane. The results show that rhodium exists in very high, nearly atomic dispersion in the catalysts after reduction; this was not obtained by conventional preparative methods. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthese und dynamisches Verhalten von [Rh2(μ-H)3H2(PiPr3)4]+. Beiträge zur Reaktivität des Tetrahydridodirhodium-Komplexes [Rh2H4(PiPr3)4]

Synthesis and Dynamic Behaviour of [Rh₂(μ-H)₃H₂(PiPr₃)₄]⁺. Contributions to the Reactivity of the Tetrahydridodirhodium Complex [Rh₂H₄(PiPr₃)₄] An improved synthesis of [Rh₂H₄(PiPr₃)₄] ( 2 ) from [Rh(η³-C₃H₅)(PiPr₃)₂] ( 1 ) or [Rh(η³-CH₂C₆H₅)(PiPr₃)₂] ( 3 ) and H₂ is described. Compound 2 reacts with CO or CH₃OH to give trans-[RhH(CO)(PiPr₃)₂] ( 4 ) and with ethene/acetone to yield a mixture of 4 and trans-[RhCH₃(CO)(PiPr₃)₂] ( 5 ). The carbonyl(methyl) complex 5 has also been prepared from trans-[RhCl(CO)(PiPr₃)₂] ( 6 ) and CH₃MgI. Whereas the reaction of 2 with two parts of CF₃CO₂H leads to [RhH₂(η²-O₂CCF₃) · (PiPr₃)₂] ( 8 ), treatment of 2 with one equivalent of CF₃CO₂H in presence of NH₄PF₆ gives the dinuclear compound [Rh₂H₅(PiPr₃)₄]PF₆ ( 9a ). The reactions of 2 with HBF₄ and [NO]BF₄ afford the complexes [Rh₂H₅(PiPr₃)₄]BF₄ ( 9b ) and trans-[RhF(NO)(PiPr₃)₂]BF₄ ( 11 ), respectively. In solution, the cation [Rh₂(μ-H)₃H₂(PiPr₃)₄]⁺ of the compounds 9a and 9b undergoes an intramolecular rearrangement in which the bridging hydrido and the phosphane ligands are involved.     

Transformations of formaldehyde and glycolaldehyde during the hydroformylation of formaldehyde in the presence of rhodium catalysts

Hydroformylation of formaldehyde to give glycolaldehyde (GA) in the presence of RhCl(PPh₃)₃, RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂, or the RhCl₃ + PPh₃ system inN,N-dimethylacetamide was studied. The hydroformylation is accompanied by the Cannizzaro-Tishchenko reaction, condensation of CH₂O with GA to give C₃-C₁₆ polyoxyaldehydes (POA), and dimerization of GA. The formation of POA, which probably occurs through coordination of GA with a Rh atom, predominates among the side reactions. The optimum conditions for hydroformylation of CH₂O were found to be: RhCl₃ + PPh₃ as the catalyst,T 383 K, 12MPa, [H₂O] 1.8 mol L^–1, [Rh] 2.5 · 10^–3 g-at. L^–1, and [CH₂O] 0.03 g L^–1. At a substrate conversion of 62–67 %, the selectivity of GA formation reaches 96 %, and the yield is 60–65 %.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 75–78, January, 1995.     

Darstellung und Kristallstruktur von Tetraphenylphosphonium-Hexathiocyanatorhodat(III), [P(C6H5)4]3[Rh(SCN)6]

Preparation and Crystal Structure of Tetraphenylphosphonium Hexathiocyanatorhodate(III), [P(C₆H₅)₄]₃[Rh(SCN)₆] By treatment of RhCl₃ · n H₂O with KSCN in water a mixture of the linkage isomers [Rh(NCS)_n(SCN)_6–n]^3?, n = 0–2 is formed which is separated by ion exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose. The X-ray structure determination on a single crystal of [P(C₆H₅)₄]₃[Rh(SCN)₆] (monoclinic, space group C1c1, a = 13.620(5), b = 22.929(13), c = 22.899(9) Å, β = 98.55(3)°, Z = 4) confirms the coordination of all ligands via S with the middle Rh? S distance of 2.372 Å and Rh? S? C angles of 109°. The SCN groups are nearly linear with 175° and averaged bondlengths S? C 1.63 and C? N 1.14 Å. The crystal lattice is build up by layers of complex anions and voluminous cations with no specific interactions but which are closely connected by thiocyanate ligands and phenyl rings.     

Arene complexes [(η-C<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>)M(η-C<Subscript>6</Subscript>R<Subscript>6</Subscript>)]<Superscript>2+</Superscript> (M = Rh,Ir)

The dicationic arene complexes [CpM(arene)](BF₄)₂ (arene = C₆H₆, 1,3,5-C₆H₃Me₃, or C₆Me₆) were synthesized by the reactions of the solvated complexes [CpM(MeNO₂)₃](BF₄)₂ (M = Rh, Ir) with benzene and its derivatives. The solvated complexes were generated in situ by abstraction of I^– from [CpMI₂]₂ with AgBF₄. A procedure was developed for the synthesis of the iodide [CpRhI₂]₂ based on the reaction of the cyclooctadiene derivative CpRh(1,5-C₈H₁₂) with I₂. The structure of the [CpRh(C₆Me₆)](BF₄)₂ complex was established by X-ray diffraction analysis.Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1871–1874, September, 2004.     

Stacking reactions of the borole complex Cp*Rh(η5-C4H4BPh) with the dicationic fragments [Cp*M]2+ (M = Rh or Ir)

The reaction of the (borole)rhodium iodide complex [(η-C₄H₄BPh)RhI]₄ with Cp^*Li afforded the sandwich compound Cp^*Rh(η-C₄H₄BPh) (4). The reactions of compound 4 with the solvated complexes [Cp^*M(MeNO₂)₃]²⁺(BF ₄ ⁻ )₂ gave triple-decker cationic complexes with the central borole ligand [Cp^*Rh(η-η⁵:η⁵-C₄H₄BPh)MCp^*]²⁺(BF ₄ ⁻ )₂ (M = Rh (5) or Ir (7)). The structure of complex 4 was established by X-ray diffraction. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1525–1527, September, 2006.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic investigations of Rh(III) and Pd(II) complex compounds with N-(pyridine-2-yl)morpholine-4-carbothioamide

The present paper describes the synthesis and spectral properties of Rh(III) and Pd(II) coordination compounds with N-(pyridine-2-yl)morpholine-4-carbothioamide (PMCTA). The compounds have the general composition [RhL₂Cl₂]Cl · C₂H₅OH (1), [PdL₂]Cl₂ (2), [PdL₂](ClO₄)₂ · 2C₃H₆O (2a), [PdLCl₂] · 2H₂O (3). All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, XPS and UV–Vis spectra. It has been shown that PMCTA behaves as a bidentate (N,S)-ligand, forming six membered metallocycles and coordinating to the metal ion through the carbothioamide sulfur atom and the pyridine nitrogen atom. The UV–Vis spectra suggest that the Pd(II) complexes are square planar, while the Rh(III) complex has an octahedral geometry. The molecular structure of the Pd(II) complex with PMCTA (M:L = 1:2) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Basische metalle : XXXVI. Die synthese stabiler hydrido(olefin)rhodium-komplexe und von[C5H5Rh(PMe3)(η3-CH3CHC6H5)]PF6

The complexes C₅H₅Rh(PMe₃)C₂H₃R′ (R′  H, Me, Ph) and C₅H₅Rh(PR₃)C₂H₄(PR₃  PMe₂Ph, PPrⁱ₃) are prepared by reaction of[PMe₃(C₂H₃R/t')RhCl]₂ or [PR₃(C₂H₄)RhCl]₂ and TlC₅H₅, respectively. They react with HBF₄ in ether/propionic anhydride to form the BF₄ salts of the hydrido(olefin)rhodium cations [C₅H₅RhH(C₂H₃R′)PR₃]⁺(R  Me; R′  H, Me and R  Prⁱ; R′  H). From C₅H₅Rh(PMe₃)C₂H₃Ph and CF₃COOH/NH₄PF₆ the η³-benzyl complex [C₅H₅Rh(PMe₃)(η³-CH₃CHC₆H₅)]PF₆ is obtained. The reversibility of the protonation reactions is demonstrated by temperature-dependent NMR spectra and by deuteration experiments. The complexes C₅H₅Rh(PMe₃)C₂H₃R′ (R′  H, Ph) and C₅H₅Rh(PMe₂Ph)C₂H₄ react with CH₃I in ether to give the salts [C₅H₅RhCH₃(C₂H₃R′)PR₃]I which in THF or CH₃NO₂ yield the neutral compounds C₅H₅RhCH₃(PR₃)I.     

Remarks on the process of homogeneous carbonylation of rhodium compounds by N,N-dimethylformamide

Reductive carbonylation of rhodium(III) chloride complexes, commercial RhCl₃ · nH₂O neutralized with BaCO₃, (Me₂NH₂)₂[RhCl₅(DMF)], (PPh₄)[RhCl₄(H₂O)₂], RhCl₃(DMF)₃, RhCl₃(CH₃CN)₃, RhCl₃(CH₃CN)₂(DMF), [Rh(CO)₂Cl₃]₂, and rhodium(I) complex, Rh(PPh₃)₃Cl, by N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is studied. The data obtained support the conception of direct carbonyl group transfer from DMF molecule to the Rh metal center. The mechanistic scheme of carbonylation process is refined and discussed with regard of new experimental results.     

Cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes withN-cyano-N′-methyl-N″(2-[(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methylthio]ethyl)guanidine

Summary N-Cyano-N-methyl-N(2-[(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-methylthio] ethyl) guanidine cimetidine (CM), complexes with Co^II, Ni^II and Cu^II are described. The compounds are of stoichiometry [M(CM)₂]SO₄ · nH₂O [M = Co^II, Ni^II or Cu^II; n = 3,3 or 4, respectively], [M(CM)₂](ClO₄)₂ [M = Co^II or Ni^II], [M(CM)₂]Cl₂ · nH₂O [M=Co^II, Ni^II or Cu^II; n = 1, 2, or 2, respectively] and [Cu(CM)SO₄] · 2H₂O. The electronic spectra of the compounds in solid state, magnetic susceptibilities and i.r. and e.p.r. spectra were studied. Octahedral environments are proposed for the complexes: [M(CM)₂]SO₄·nH₂O, [M(CM)₂](ClO₄)₂, [Ni(CM)₂]Cl₂ · 2H₂O, [Cu(CM)₂]Cl₂ · 2H₂O and [Cu(CM)SO₄] · 2H₂O and a tetrahedral structure for [Co(CM)₂]Cl₂ · H₂O.     

Versatile coordination chemistry of rhodium complexes containing the bis(trimethylsilylmethyl)tellane ligand

When RhCl₃ · 3H₂O was treated with an excess of Te(CH₂SiMe₃)_2, a mononuclear mer-[RhCl₃{Te(CH₂SiMe₃)₂}₃] (1) was observed as the main product. By reducing the metal-to-ligand molar ratio, dinuclear [Rh₂(μ-Cl)₂Cl₄{Te(CH₂SiMe₃)₂}₄] (2) was obtained in addition to 1. Further reduction of the metal-to-ligand ratio resulted in the formation of [Rh₂(μ-Cl)₂Cl₄(OHCH₂CH₃){Te(CH₂SiMe₃)₂}₃] (3). The treatment of mer-[RhCl₃(SMePh)₃] (4) with two equivalents of Te(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ affords a mixture of mer-[RhCl₃{Te(CH₂SiMe₃)₂}₃] (1) and mer-[RhCl₃{Te(CH₂SiMe₃)₂}₂(SMePh)] (5). All complexes 1-4 and 5 · ½EtOH were characterized by X-ray crystallography and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy, where appropriate. The definite assignment of the ¹²⁵Te chemical shifts enabled a plausible discussion of the assignment of some unknown resonances that were observed in the NMR spectra.     

Study of hydroformylation of formaldehyde in the presence of rhodium catalysts byin situ IR spectroscopy and the kinetic technique

Carbonylrhodium complexes formed during hydroformylation of CH₂O from various rhodium precursors were investigated byin situ IR spectroscopy. It was found that under the conditions of the hydroformylation of CH₂O inN,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAA), RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₃, RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂, RhCl(PPh₃)₃, RhCl(CO)(PBu₃)₂, and [RhCl(CO)₂]₂ form complex systems that necessarily contain anionic complexes, [Rh(CO)₂L_x(DMAA)_y]^– (L = PPh₃, PBu₃,x = 1 to 2,y = 1 to 0; [Rh(CO)₄]^–). The participation of ionic structures in the hydroformylation of CH₂O, most likely, in the step of the activation of CH₂O, was proven by kinetic techniques.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1066–1069, June, 1995.     

Versatile reactivity of half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes toward carboranylamidinates and their derivatives: synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity for norbornene polymerization

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate‐based half‐sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ‐Cl)Cl}₂] (M=Ir, Rh; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18‐electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 a ; Cab^N‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 b ), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DCC)] ( 1 c ; Cab^N‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHCy)]). A series of 16‐electron half‐sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 a ; Cab^N′‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DCC)] ( 2 b , Cab^N′‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 c ) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DCC)] (M=Ir 3 a , 3 b ; Rh 3 c , 3 d ), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl₂}₂] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHR)]S^? (R=iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C? Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1 a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10⁶ g_PNB ${{\rm{mol}}_{{\rm{Ir}}}^{ - {\rm{1}}} }Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate-based half-sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl}(2)] (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18-electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?a; Cab(N)-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?b), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DCC)] (1?c; Cab(N)-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHCy)]). A series of 16-electron half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?a; Cab(N')-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DCC)] (2?b, Cab(N')-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?c) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DCC)] (M = Ir 3?a, 3?b; Rh 3?c, 3?d), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl(2)}(2)] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHR)]S(-) (R = iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C-Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1?a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10(6) g(PNB) mol(Ir)(-1) h(-1) for the polymerization of norbornene in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of polynorbornene (PNB) were investigated under various reaction conditions. All complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis and IR and NMR spectroscopy; the structures of 1?a-c, 2?a, b; and 3?a, b, d were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.