Origin of diastereofacial selectivity in tertiary 2-adamantyl cations.

The intrinsic factors governing the diastereofacial selectivity of 2-methyl-5-X-2-adamantyl cations (X = F (I(F)), Si(CH(3))(3) (I(Si))) toward a representative nucleophile, i.e., methanol, have been investigated in the gas phase at 750 Torr and in the 20-80 degrees C temperature range. The kinetic results indicate that CH(3)OH addition to I(F) proceeds through tight transition structures (TS(F)(syn) and TS(F)(anti)) characterized by advanced C-O bonding. The same interactions are much less pronounced in the comparatively loose transition structures involved in the CH(3)OH addition to I(Si) (TS(Si)(syn) and TS(Si)(anti)). The experimental evidence indicates that the activation barriers for the anti addition to I(F) and I(Si) are invariably lower than those for the syn attack. Large adverse entropic factors account for the preferred syn diastereoselectivity observed in the reaction with I(F). Entropy plays a minor role in the much looser transition structures involved in the reaction with I(Si), which instead exhibits a preferred anti diastereoselectivity. Comparison of the above gas-phase results with related theoretical and solution data suggests that the diastereofacial selectivity of I(F) and I(Si) measured in solution arises in part from the differential solvation of the two faces of the pyramidalized ions.     

Gas-phase diastereoselectivity of secondary 5-substituted (X)-adamant-2-yl (X = F, Si(CH(3))(3)) cations

Secondary 5-X-adamant-2-yl cations IX (X = F, Si(CH3)3) have been generated in the gas phase (total pressure = 760 Torr) from protonation-induced defluorination of epimeric 2-F-5-X-adamantanes 1X and their kinetic diastereoselectivity toward CH318OH investigated in the 40-160 degrees C range. The experimental results indicate that the facial selectivity of IX is insensitive to the composition of the starting 1X epimers as well as to the presence and the concentration of a powerful base (N(C2H5)3). This kinetic picture, supported by B3LYP/6-31G* calculations, is consistent with a single stable pyramidalized structure for IX, that is, (Z)-5-F-adamant-2-yl (I(Z)F) and (E)-5-Si(CH3)3-adamant-2-yl cations (I(E)Si). The temperature dependence of the IX diastereoselectivity lends support to the intermediacy of noncovalent adducts [IX*CH318OH], characterized by a specific C2-H+...O18(H)CH3 hydrogen bonding interaction. Their conversion to the covalently bonded O-methylated (Z)- (II(Z)X) and (E)-5-X-adamantan-2-ols (II(E)X; X = F, Si(CH3)3) is governed by activation parameters, whose magnitude depends on the specific IX face accommodating CH318OH. The gas-phase diastereoselectivity of IX toward CH318OH is compared to that exhibited in related gas-phase and solution processes. The emerging picture indicates that the factors determining the diastereoselectivity of IX toward simple nucleophiles in the gaseous and condensed media are completely different.     

Diastereoselective formation of cyanohydrins from alpha-alkoxy aldehydes

[reaction: see text] The reaction of alpha-alkoxy aldehydes with Et4NAg(CN)2 or Me3SiCN in the presence of MgBr2 x OEt2 in CH2Cl2 at 0 degrees C gives the corresponding syn cyanohydrins in good yield with high diastereoselectivity. Excess MgBr2 x OEt2 (typically 5 equiv) is required for high diastereoselectivity. Et4NAg(CN)2 (but not Me3SiCN) is sufficiently reactive to give cyanohydrins at -78 degrees C, and higher diastereoselectivity is obtained at this temperature.     

Synthesis of chiral vicinal diamines by highly diastereoselective three-component phenolic Mannich reaction: temperature-dependent stereodivergency

[reaction: see text] A diastereoselective three-component synthesis of chiral o-1,2-diaminoalkyl phenols from an electron-rich phenol, an amine, and a chiral alpha-N,N-dibenzylamino aldehyde is developed. The diastereoselectivity of this phenolic Mannich reaction is temperature-dependent,and either anti or syn diastereomer can be prepared by controlling the reaction conditions. Low reaction temperature (-20 degrees C) favors the formation of anti adduct 1, whereas higher temperature (60 degrees C) under otherwise identical conditions produces mainly the syn isomer.     

Off-center oxygen-arene interactions in solution: a quantitative study

[reaction: see text] Triptycenes with C1-MeO/RCOO (R = H, Me, Et, i-Pr, CF3) and C9-XC6H4CH2 (X = Me, H, F, CN, CF3) have been prepared to determine lone pair-arene interactions in the off-center configuration. The ratios of the syn and anti conformers were determined by low-temperature NMR spectroscopy. The syn conformer allows the attached arene and the MeO/ester to interact with each other while the anti conformer does not. The free energies of interaction have been derived from the syn/anti ratios. Compound 7 in the ester series with X = H and R = CF3 is the only compound that shows a slightly repulsive interaction (0.08 kcal/mol). Compound 2e in the MeO series with X = CF3 exhibits an attractive interaction (-0.47 +/- 0.05 kcal mol). All other compounds show smaller attractive interactions.     

From simple trans-[a2Pt(2-hydroxypyrimidine)2]2+ (a = NH3, CH3NH2) complexes to structures of higher complexity. Molecular recognition of 2-aminopyrimidine by hydrogen bond formation and reactivity toward additional metal ions

The new complexes trans-[a2Pt(Hpymo-N1)2]X2 (a = NH3, X = NO3 (1a); a = CH3NH2, X = NO3 (1b); a = CH3NH2, X = ClO4 (1c); Hpymo = 2-hydroxypyrimidine) have been prepared by reaction of trans-[a2Pt(H2O)2]-X2 with 2-hydroxypyrimidine at 80 degrees C in water. Complex 1c cocrystallizes in water with 2-aminopyrimidine (ampym) through formation of complementary pairs of hydrogen bonds to give the supramolecular hexagon [trans-[(CH3NH2)2Pt(pymo-N1)(Hpymo-N1)].Hampym[2(ClO4)4 (2). Molecular recognition of ampym by 1c is responsible for a conformational change of the two hydroxypyrimidine ligands in 1c from anti (1c) to syn and in addition for a proton transfer from a Hpymo residue to ampym against 1.5 units of pKa gradient. 1H NMR concentration-dependent studies as well as NOE experiments in dmso-d6 and dmf-d7 show that 2 dissociates in solution. Compound 1a reacts in NH3:H2O (1:3) with AgI to give the polymeric species [trans-[(NH3)2Pt(mu-pymo-N1,N3)2Ag(H2O)]-NO3]n (3). In contrast to 2, in the polymeric structure the trans-[NH3)2Pt(pymo)2] entities adopt an anti conformation. Nevertheless, the [(H2O)Ag(pymo)2] residues present a syn conformation that leads to a meander-like global structure. Compounds 1b, 1c, 2, and 3 have been studied by X-ray crystallography: (1b) triclinic space group, P1, a = 9.300(2) A, b = 10.483(2) A, c = 11.050(2) A, alpha = 68.21(3) degrees, beta = 75.47(3) degrees, gamma = 73.83(3) degrees, Z = 2, R1 = 0.025, and wR2 = 0.062; (1c) triclinic space group, P1, a = 5.692(1) A, b = 7.758(2) A, c = 11.236(2) A, alpha = 93.12(3) degrees, beta = 92.86(3) degrees, gamma = 102.58(3) degrees, Z = 2, R1 = 0.048, and wR2 = 0.119; (2) triclinic space group, P1, a = 8.355(2) A, b = 11.221(2) A, c = 13.004(3) A, alpha = 86.76(3) degrees, beta = 78.62(3) degrees, gamma = 77.96(3) degrees, Z = 2, R1 = 0.033, and wR2 = 0.080; (3) monoclinic space group, C2/c, a = 5.345(1) A, b = 23.998(5) A, c = 12.474(2) A, beta = 102.27(3) degrees, Z = 8, R1 = 0.041, and wR2 = 0.093.     

Solvent-dependent diastereoselectivities in reductions of beta-hydroxyketones by SmI2

The reductions of a series of beta-hydroxyketones by SmI(2) were examined in THF, DME, and CH(3)CN using methanol as a proton source. Reductions in THF and DME typically lead to the syn diastereomer with DME providing higher diastereoselectivities. Reductions in CH(3)CN provided the anti diastereomer predominantly. This study reveals that solvation plays an important role in substrate reduction by SmI(2). [reaction: see text]     

Mechanistic insights into the palladiumII-catalyzed hydroxyalkoxylation of 2-allylphenols

The Pd(OCOCF3)2/[(HOCH2CH2NHCOCH2)2NCH2]2-catalyzed oxidation of o-allylphenol with H2O2 in water/methanol affords a syn and anti mixture of 2-(1,2-dihydroxypropyl)phenol and 2-(2-hydroxy-1-methoxypropyl)phenol. Mechanistic experiments and ESI-MS studies support a pathway wherein isomerization of the C=C bond followed by its epoxidation and oxirane opening led to the products. Recycling of the catalytic system led to gradual lost of activity.     

Structures, photoluminescence, and reversible vapoluminescence properties of neutral platinum(II) complexes containing extended pi-conjugated cyclometalated ligands

Reacting K2PtCl4 with the tridentate R-C(wedge)N(wedge)C-H2 ligands 2,6-di-(2'-naphthyl)-4-R-pyridine (R = H, 1a; Ph, 1b; 4-BrC6H4, 1c; 3,5-F2C6H3, 1d) in glacial acetic acid, followed by heating in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), gave complexes [(R-C(wedge)N(wedge)C)Pt(DMSO)] (2a-d). In the crystal structures of 2a-c, the molecules are paired in a head-to-tail orientation with Pt...Pt separations >6.3 A, and there are extensive close C-H...pi (d = 2.656-2.891 A), pi...pi (d = 3.322-3.399 A), and C-H...O=S (d = 2.265-2.643 A) contacts. [(Ph-C(wedge)N(wedge)C)Pt(PPh3)] (3) was prepared by reacting 2b with PPh3. Reactions of 2a-d with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) gave [(R-C(wedge)N(wedge)C)2Pt2(mu-dppm)] (4a-d). Both head-to-head (syn) and head-to-tail (anti) conformations were found for 4a.6CHCl3.C5H12, whereas only one conformation was observed for 4b.2CHCl3 (syn), 4c.3CH2Cl2 (syn), and 4d.2CHCl3 (anti). In the crystal structures of 4a-d, there are close intramolecular Pt...Pt contacts of 3.272-3.441 A in the syn conformers, and long intramolecular Pt...Pt separations of 5.681-5.714 A in the anti conformers. There are weak C-H...X (d = 2.497-3.134 A) and X...X (X = Cl or Br; d = 2.973-3.655 A) interactions between molecules 4a-d and occluded CHCl3/CH2Cl2 molecules, and their solvent channels are of varying diameters (approximately 9-28 A). Complexes 2a-d, 3, and 4a-d are photoluminescent in the solid state, with emission maxima at 602-643 nm. Upon exposure to volatile organic compounds, 4a shows a fast and reversible vapoluminescent response, which is most intense with volatile halogenated solvents (except CCl4). Powder X-ray diffraction analysis of desolvated 4a revealed a more condensed molecular packing of syn and anti complexes than crystal 4a.6CHCl3.C5H12.     

Synthesis of new chiral amines with a cyclic 1,2-diacetal skeleton derived from (2R, 3R)-(+)-tartaric acid

The syntheses of new chiral cyclic 1,2-diacetals from (2R, 3R)-( )-tartaric acid are described. C(2)-symmetrical diamines were prepared via direct amidation of the tartrate or from the corresponding bismesylate via reaction with sodium azide. For C1-symmetrical compounds, the Appel reaction was used to form the key intermediate, a monochlorocarbinol, from the diol. Some of the new chiral compounds, produced in good to high yields, may be potentially useful as asymmetric organocatalysts or as nitrogen and sulfur chelating ligands for asymmetric metal catalyzed reactions. Thus, a bis-N-methyl-methanamine derivative, used in substoichiometric amounts, was found to catalyze the enantioselective addition of cyclohexanone to (E)-beta-nitrostyrene with high diastereoselectivity (syn / anti = 92:8), albeit giving moderate optical purity (syn: 30 %).     

Ligand cleavage put into reverse: P--C bond breaking and remaking in an alkylphosphane iron complex

Complex formation between FeX(2)6 H(2)O (X=BF(4) or ClO(4)) and the pyridine-derived tetrapodal tetraphosphane C(5)H(3)N[CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(2)](2) (1) in methanol proceeds with solvent-induced cleavage of one PMe(2) group. Depending on the reaction temperature and the nature of the counterion, iron(II) is coordinated, in distorted square-pyramidal fashion, by the anionic remainder of the chelating ligand, C(5)H(3)N[CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(2)][CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(CH(2) (-))] (NP(3)C(-) donor set: X=BF(4), -50 degrees C: 2; X=ClO(4), RT: 4) or its protonated form C(5)H(3)N[CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(2)][CMe(CH(2)PMe(2))(CH(3))], in which the methyl group is in agostic interaction with the metal centre (X=BF(4), RT: 3; X=ClO(4), +50 degrees C: 5). A monodentate phosphinite ligand Me(2)POMe, formed from the cleaved PMe(2) group and methanol, completes the coordination octahedron in both cases. Working in CD(3)OD (X=BF(4), RT) gives the deuterium-substituted analogue of 3, with ligands L(CH(2)D) (L=residual chelating ligand) and Me(2)POCD(3). A mechanism for the observed phosphorus-carbon bond cleavage is suggested. Complex 2, when isolated at -50 degrees C, is stable in the solid state even at room temperature. The reaction of 2 in methanol with carbon monoxide (10.5 bar) at elevated temperature forms, in addition to as yet unidentified side products, the carbonyl complex [(1)Fe(CO)](BF(4))(2) (7), in which the previous P--C bond cleavage has been reversed, reforming the original tetrapodal pentadentate NP(4) ligand 1. All compounds have been fully characterised, including X-ray structure analyses in most cases.     

Supramolecular catalysis at work: diastereoselective synthesis of a molecular bowl with dynamic inner space

The supramolecular assistance to Pd(0)/Cu(I)-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of stannylated norbornene 7 has been investigated to give molecular bowl 1syn in a stereoselective fashion. Following a divergent strategy, racemic norbornene 7 was synthesized in satisfactory yield. Self-coupling, promoted by Pd(0)/Cu(I) catalysis acting in synergy with CsF, yielded molecular bowl 1syn in a moderate 30% yield. The reaction diastereoselectivity is affected by the concentration of Cu(I) and Cs+: increasing quantities of the cations enhanced the syn/anti ratio of the isolated cyclotrimer from statistical (1:3) to a more desirable (4.5:1) ratio, in favor of the molecular bowl 1syn. 1H NMR spectroscopic studies suggested the coordinating affinity of 1syn toward transition metals Cu(I), Ag(I), and Au(I), to account for the observed templation effect. In particular, the tridentate 1syn has been shown to bind to one Ag(I) cation in the assembly process that is driven with enthalpy (Delta H degrees = -19 +/- 2 kcal/mol, Delta S degrees = -45 eu). The complete coordination was not cooperative, and was hypothesized to be impeded with the adverse entropy. Accordingly, density functional theory (BP86) calculations of 1syn and its mono-, bis-, and tris-Ag(I) complexes suggested that the coordination of one to three silver cations is highly exothermic. The calculations also revealed that the bowl constriction is necessary for the aromatic arms to become preorganized and bind to a silver cation(s) (Delta E approximately 8 kcal/mol). Ultimately, Ag(I) has been shown to assist the diastereoselective formation of 1syn, lending support to the notion of template-directed synthesis.     

Synthesis and stereodynamics of highly constrained 1,8-bis(2,2'-dialkyl-4,4'-diquinolyl)naphthalenes

The syn and anti isomers of axially chiral 1,8-diquinolylnaphthalenes have been synthesized via Pd-catalyzed Stille coupling of 1,8-dibromonaphthalene and 2-alkyl-4-trimethylstannylquinolines. Optimization of the cross-coupling reaction allowed the preparation of highly constrained 1,8-bis(2,2'-dimethyl-4,4'-diquinolyl)naphthalene, 2, and 1,8-bis(2,2'-diisopropyl-4,4'-diquinolyl)naphthalene, 3, in 42% and 41% yield, respectively. Employing Pd(PPh(3))(4) and CuO as the cocatalysts in the coupling reaction of 1,8-dibromonaphthalene and 2-alkyl-4-trimethylstannylquinolines proved to be superior over other catalysts such as PdCl(2)(dppf), Pd(2)(dba)(3)/P(t-Bu)(3), and POPd. The C(2)-symmetric anti isomers of 2 and 3 were found to be more stable than the corresponding meso syn isomer. The ratio of the two enantiomeric anti conformers to the syn conformer was determined as 7.9:1 for 2 and 8.6:1 for 3 by NMR and HPLC analysis. The atropisomers of 2 and 3 were found to be stable to rotation about the chiral axis at room temperature and all three stereoisomers of 2 were isolated by semipreparative HPLC on a Chiralpak AD column. The diastereoisomers of 3 were separated via preferential crystallization of the anti isomers from diethyl ether. Slow syn/anti interconversion was observed for both atropisomers at enhanced temperature, and the diastereomerization and enantiomerization processes were monitored by NMR and HPLC. The Gibbs activation energy, DeltaG++, for the isomerization of 2 was determined as 116.0 (112.1) kJ/mol for the conversion of the anti (syn) to the syn (anti) isomer at 71.0 degrees C. The rotational energy barrier of 3 was determined as 115.2 (111.1) kJ/mol for the conversion of the anti (syn) to the syn (anti) isomer at 66.2 degrees C.     

Titanium and zirconium complexes of preorganized tripodal triaryloxide ligands

Tri(2-oxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)methane, [O3]3- has been used to prepare titanium and zirconium complexes of the general formula [O3]MX (M = Ti, X = NEt2, Cl, CH2Ph; M = Zr, X = CH2Ph). The tripodal [O3] ligand in titanium complexes adopt the syn- and the anti-conformation, while the syn complex of zirconium undergoes facile C-H activation to give a 5-carbametalatrane [O3C]Zr(THF)3.     

Facial selectivity in epoxidation of 2-cyclohexen-1-ol with peroxy acids. A computational DFT study

We addressed the mechanism of epoxidation of 2-cyclohexen-1-ol by locating all the transition structures (TSs) for the reaction of peroxyformic acid (PFA) with both pseudoequatorial and pseudoaxial cyclohexenol conformers (five TSs for each conformer) and, for purpose of comparison, also those for the PFA epoxidation of cyclohexene. Geometry optimizations were performed at the B3LYP/6-31G level, energies refined with single point B3LYP/6-311+G// B3LYP/6-31G calculations and solvent effects introduced with the CPCM method. Our results can be summarized as follows: (i) all TSs exhibit a spiro-like structure, that is, the dihedral angle between the peroxy acid plane and the forming oxirane plane is closer to 90 degrees than to 0 degrees (or 180 degrees ); (ii) there is a stabilizing hydrogen bonding interaction in syn TSs that, however, is partly counteracted by unfavorable entropic effects; (iii) syn,exo TSs with hydrogen bonding at the PFA peroxy oxygens are definitely more stable than syn,endo TSs hydrogen bonded at the PFA carbonyl oxygen; (iv) facial selectivity of epoxidation of both cyclohexenol conformers is mostly the result of competition between only two TSs, namely, an anti,exo TS and its syn,exo counterpart. The latter TS is more stable than the former one, as stabilization by hydrogen bonding overrides the unfavorable entropic and solvent effects; (v) calculations correctly predict both the experimental dominance of attack leading to syn epoxide for both cyclohexenol conformers and the higher syn selectivity observed for the pseudoequatorial as compared to the pseudoaxial derivative. Moreover, also the experimental relative and absolute epoxidation rates for cyclohexene and cyclohexenol as well as for pseudoaxial and pseudoequatorial cyclohexenol derivatives are fairly well reproduced by computational data.     

Diastereoselective palladium-catalyzed formate reduction of allylic carbonates as a new entry into propionate units

[reaction: see text] The diastereoselective palladium-catalyzed formate reduction of allylic carbonates is described. Reduction of allylic carbonates under mild conditions (Pd(OAc)(2) (2.5-5 mol %), [n-Bu(3)PH]BF(4) (2.5-5 mol %), HCO(2)H/Et(3)N (1:2) (3 equiv), CH(3)CN (0.05M), 40 degrees C) affords the terminal olefin as the syn isomer in good yields and modest to excellent diastereoselectivity. These compounds, which are useful building blocks for the synthesis of polypropionate units, are the synthetic equivalent of the products obtained from an aldol reaction of an alpha-methyl-beta,gamma-unsaturated aldehyde.     

On the unusual 2J(C2-H(f)) coupling dependence on syn/anti CHO conformation in 5-X-furan-2-carboxaldehydes

A remarkable difference for (2)J(C(2)-H(f)) coupling constant in syn and anti conformers of 5-X-furan-2-carboxaldehydes (X = CH(3), Ph, NO(2), Br) and a rationalization of this difference are reported. On the basis of the current knowledge of the Fermi-contact term transmission, a rather unusual dual-coupling pathway in the syn conformer is presented. The additional coupling pathway resembles somewhat that of the J(H-H) in homoallylic couplings, which are transmitted by hyperconjugative interactions involving the pi(C=C) electronic system. The homoallylic coupling pathway can be labeled as sigma*(C-H) <-- pi(C=C) --> sigma*(C-H). In the present case, this additional coupling pathway, using an analogous notation, can be labeled as sigma*(C(2)-C(C)) <-- LP(1)(O(1))...LP(2)(O(C)) --> sigma*(C(C)-H(f)) (sigma*(C(2)-C(C))) where O(1) and O(C) stand for the ring and carbonyl O atoms, respectively. This additional coupling pathway is not activated in the anti conformers since both oxygen lone pairs do not overlap.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Protease Inhibitors and AntiHIV Agents

Part 1: A highly enantio-and diastereoselective Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of chiral C3(acyloxy)-vinyl silanes for the synthesis of anti-disubstituted succinic acid, an important intermediate for matrix metalloprotease inhibitors, has been developed (enantio-and anti/syn selectivities up to 95% and 38/1). The diastereoselectivity of this reaction was found to be sensitive to remote hydroxyl protecting groups, for example, with-OMOM group, the anti/syn ratio was 19/1, while with-OTBDMS, the ratio was 38/1. The resultant Ireland-Claisen rearrangement product was applied to the synthesis of macrocyclic MMP inhibitors, such as SL 422.     

Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of 2-(2'-pyridyl)-4,6-diphenylphosphinine: synthesis, structure, and reactivity

The coordination chemistry of the bidentate P,N hybrid ligand 2-(2'-pyridyl)-4,6-diphenylphosphinine (1) towards Pd(II) and Pt(II) has been investigated. The molecular structures of the complexes [PdCl(2)(1)] and [PtCl(2)(1)] were determined by X-ray diffraction, representing the first crystallographically characterized λ(3)-phosphinine-Pd(II) and -Pt(II) complexes. Both complexes reacted with methanol at the P=C double bond at an elevated temperature, leading to the corresponding products [MCl(2)(1H·OCH(3))]. The molecular structure of [PdCl(2)(1H·OCH(3))] was determined crystallographically and revealed that the reaction with methanol proceeds selectively by syn addition and exclusively to one of the P=C double bonds. Strikingly, the reaction of [PdCl(2)(1H·OCH(3))] with the chelating diphosphine DPEphos at room temperature in CH(2)Cl(2) led quantitatively to [PdCl(2)(DPEphos)] and phosphinine 1 by elimination of CH(3)OH and rearomatization of the phosphorus heterocycle.     

Comparison of steric and electronic requirements for C-C and C-H bond activation. Chelating vs nonchelating case

C-H bond activation was observed in a novel PCO ligand 1 (C(6)H(CH(3))(3)(CH(2)OCH(3))(CH(2)P(t-Bu)(2))) at room temperature in THF, acetone, and methanol upon reaction with the cationic rhodium precursor, [Rh(coe)(2)(solv)(n)()]BF(4) (solv = solvent; coe = cyclooctene). The products in acetone (complexes 3a and 3b) and methanol (complexes 4a and 4b) were fully characterized spectroscopically. Two products were formed in each case, namely those containing uncoordinated (3a and 4a) and coordinated (3b and 4b) methoxy arms, respectively. Upon heating of the C-H activation products in methanol at 70 degrees C, C-C bond activation takes place. Solvent evaporation under vacuum at room temperature for 3-4 days also results in C-C activation. The C-C activation product, ((CH(3))Rh(C(6)H(CH(3))(2)(CH(2)OCH(3))(CH(2)P(t-Bu)(2))BF(4)), was characterized by X-ray crystallography, which revealed a square pyramidal geometry with the BF(4)(-) anion coordinated to the metal. Comparison to the structurally similar and isoelectronic nonchelating Rh-PC complex system and computational studies provide insight into the reaction mechanism. The reaction mechanism was studied computationally by means of a two-layer ONIOM model, using both the B3LYP and mPW1K exchange-correlation functionals and a variety of basis sets. Polarization functions significantly affect relative energetics, and the mPW1K profile appears to be more reliable than its B3LYP counterpart. The calculations reveal that the electronic requirements for both C-C and C-H activation are essentially the same (14e intermediates are the key ones). On the other hand, the steric requirements differ significantly, and chelation appears to play an important role in C-C bond activation.