C-C coupling reactions in the coordination sphere of rhodium(I) and rhodium(III): New routes for the di- and trimerization of terminal alkynes

The alkynyl(vinylidene)rhodium(I) complexes trans-[Rh(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)(=C=CHR)(PiPr3)2] 2, 5, 6 react with CO by migratory insertion to give stereoselectively the butenynyl compounds trans-[Rh{eta1-(Z)-C(=CHR)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR}(CO)(PiPr3)2](Z)-7-9, of which (Z)-7 (R=Ph) and (Z)-8 (R=tBu) rearrange upon heating or UV irradiation to the (E) isomers. Similarly, trans-[Rh{eta1-C(=CH2)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh}(CO)(PiPr3)2] 12 and trans-[Rh{eta1-(Z)-C(=CHCO2Me)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR}(CO)(PiPr3)2](Z)-15, (Z)-16 have been prepared. At room temperature, the corresponding "non-substituted" derivative trans-[Rh{eta1-C(=CH2)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH}(CO)(PiPr3)2] 18 is in equilibrium with the butatrienyl isomer trans-[Rh(eta1-CH=]C=C=CH2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] 19 that rearranges photochemically to the alkynyl complex trans-[Rh(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CH2)(CO)(PiPr3)2] 20. Reactions of (Z)-7, (E)-7, (Z)-8 and (E)-8 with carboxylic acids R'CO2H (R'=CH3, CF3) yield either the butenyne (Z)- and/or (E)-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CHR or a mixture of the butenyne and the isomeric butatriene, the ratio of which depends on both R and R'. Treatment of 2 (R=Ph) with HCl at -40 degrees C affords five-coordinate [RhCl(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh){(Z)-CH=CHPh}(PiPr3)2] 23, which at room temperature reacts by C-C coupling to give trans-[RhCl{eta2-(Z)-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CHPh}(PiPr3)2](Z)-21. The related compound trans-[RhCl(eta2-HC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CH2)(PiPr3)2] 27, prepared from trans-[Rh(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH)(=C=CH2)(PiPr3)2] 17 and HCl, rearranges to the vinylvinylidene isomer trans-[RhCl(=C=CHCH=CH2)(PiPr3)2] 28. While stepwise reaction of 2with CF3CO2H yields, via alkynyl(vinyl)rhodium(III) intermediates (Z)-29 and (E)-29, the alkyne complexes trans-[Rh(kappa1-O2CCF3)(eta2-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CHPh)(PiPr3)2](Z)-30 and (E)-30, from 2 and CH3CO2H the acetato derivative [Rh(kappa2-O2CCH3)(PiPr3)2] 33 and (Z)-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=]CHPh are obtained. From 6 (R=CO2Me) and HCl or HC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCO2Me the chelate complexes [RhX(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCO2Me){kappa2(C,O)-CH=CHC(OMe)=O}(PiPr3)2] 34 (X=Cl) and 35 (X=C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCO2Me) have been prepared. In contrast to the reactions of [Rh(kappa2-O2CCH3)(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CE)(CH=CHE)(PiPr3)2] 37(E=CO2Me) with chloride sources which give, via intramolecular C-C coupling, four-coordinate trans-[RhCl{eta2-(E)-EC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH=CHE}(PiPr3)2](E)-36, treatment of 37with HC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CE affords, via insertion of the alkyne into the rhodium-vinyl bond, six-coordinate [Rh(kappa2-O2CCH3)(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CE){eta1-(E,E)-C(=CHE)CH=CHE}(PiPr3)2] 38. The latter reacts with MgCl2 to yield trans-[RhCl{eta2-(E,E)-EC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CC(=CHE)CH=CHE}(PiPr3)2] 39, which, in the presence of CO, generates the substituted hexadienyne (E,E)-EC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CC(=CHE)CH=CHE 40.     

Preparation of five- and six-coordinate aryl(hydrido) iridium(III) complexes from benzene and functionalized arenes by C-H activation

The reaction of the in situ generated cyclooctene iridium(I) derivative trans-[IrCl(C8H14)(PiPr3)2] with benzene at 80 degrees C gave a mixture of the five-coordinate dihydrido and hydrido(phenyl) iridium(III) complexes [IrH2(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 2 and [IrH(C6H5)(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 3 in the ratio of about 1 : 2. The chloro- and fluoro-substituted arenes C6H5X (X = Cl, F), C6H4F2 and C6H4F(CH3) reacted also by C-H activation to afford the corresponding aryl(hydrido) iridium(III) derivatives [IrH(C6H4X)(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 7, 8, [IrH(C6H3F2)(Cl)(PiPr3)2] 9-11 and [IrH[C6H3F(CH3)](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 12, 13, respectively. The formation of isomeric mixtures had been detected by 1H, 13C, 19F and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Treatment of 3 and 7-13 with CO gave the octahedral carbonyl iridium(III) complexes [IrH(C6H3XX')(Cl)(CO)(PiPr3)2] 5, 14-20 without the elimination of the arene. The reactions of trans-[IrCl(C8H14)(PiPr3)2] with aryl ketones C6H5C(O)R (R = Me, Ph), aryl ketoximes C6H5C(NOH)R (R = Me, Ph) and benzaloxime C6H5C(NOH)H resulted in the formation of six-coordinate aryl(hydrido) iridium(III) compounds 21-25 with the aryl ligand coordinated in a bidentate kappa2-C,O or kappa2-C,N fashion. With C6H5C(O)NH2 as the substrate, the two isomers [IrH[kappa2-N,O-NHC(O)C6H5](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 26 and [IrH[kappa2-C,O-C6H4C(O)NH2](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 27 were prepared stepwise. Treatment of trans-[IrCl(C8H14)(PiPr3)2] with benzoic acid gave the benzoato(hydrido) complex [IrH[kappa2-O,O-O2CC6H5](Cl)(PiPr3)2] 29 which did not rearrange to the kappa2-C,O isomer.     

An unprecedented type of migratory insertion reactions of unsaturated C3 units into Rh-O and Rh-C bonds

A series of iodo- and hydroxorhodium(I) complexes of the general composition trans-[RhX(=C=C=CRR')(PiPr3)2] (X = I: 5-7; X = OH: 8-11) was prepared from the related chlororhodium(I) precursors. The hydroxo compounds behave as organometallic Br?nsted bases and react with acids like MeCO2H, PhCO2H, PhOH, or TsOH by elimination of water to give the substitution products trans-[RhX'(=C=C=CRR')(PiPr3)2] (X' = MeCO2: 12, 13; X' = PhCO2: 14; X' = PhO: 15, 16; X' = TsO: 17, 18) in good to excellent yields. In contrast to the tosylates 17, 18, which react with CO by cleavage of the allenylidene-metal bond to give trans-[Rh(OTs)(CO)(PiPr3)2] (19), treatment of the acetato and phenolato derivatives 12, 13 and 15, 16 with CO affords by migratory insertion of the allenylidene unit into the Rh-O bond the alkynyl complexes trans-[Rh[C(triple bond)CCR(R')X'](CO)(PiPr3)2] (X' = MeCO2: 20, 21; X' = OPh: 22, 23). Similarly, the reactions of the hydroxo compounds 8, 10, and 11 with CH2(CN)2 and either CO or CNMe yield the carbonyl and the isocyanide complexes trans-[Rh[C(triple bond)CCR(R')CH(CN)2](L')(PiPr3)2] (L' = CO: 25-27; L' = CNMe: 28-30), respectively. By protolytic cleavage of the Rh-C sigma bond the gamma-functionalized alkynes HC(triple bond)CCR(R')CH(CN)2 (31, 32) are generated from 25, 26 and HCl in benzene. The molecular structure of 22 was determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Unusual pathways for metal-assisted C[bond]C and C[bond]P coupling reactions using allenylidenerhodium complexes as precursors

The rhodium allenylidenes trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] [R = Ph (1), p-Tol (2)] react with NaC(5)H(5) to give the half-sandwich type complexes [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Rh[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))] (3, 4). The reaction of 1 with the Grignard reagent CH(2)[double bond]CHMgBr affords the eta(3)-pentatrienyl compound [Rh(eta(3)-CH(2)CHC[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] (6), which in the presence of CO rearranges to the eta(1)-pentatrienyl derivative trans-[Rh[eta(1)-C(CH[double bond]CH(2))[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2)](CO)(PiPr(3))(2)] (7). Treatment of 7 with acetic acid generates the vinylallene CH(2)[double bond]CH[bond]CH[double bond]=C=CPh(2) (8). Compounds 1 and 2 react with HCl to give the five-coordinate allenylrhodium(III) complexes [RhCl(2)[CH[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] (10, 11). An unusual [C(3) + C(2) + P] coupling process takes place upon treatment of 1 with terminal alkynes HC[triple bond]CR', leading to the formation of the eta(3)-allylic compounds [RhCl[eta(3)-anti-CH(PiPr(3))C(R')C[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2)](PiPr(3))] [R' = Ph (12), p-Tol (13), SiMe(3) (14)]. From 12 and RMgBr the corresponding phenyl and vinyl rhodium(I) derivatives 15 and 16 have been obtained. The previously unknown unsaturated ylide iPr(3)PCHC(Ph)[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2) (17) was generated from 12 and CO. A [C(3) + P] coupling process occurs on treatment of the rhodium allenylidenes 1, 2, and trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(p-Anis)(2)](PiPr(3))(2)] (20) with either Cl(2) or PhICl(2), affording the ylide-rhodium(III) complexes [RhCl(3)[C(PiPr(3))C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))] (21-23). The butatrienerhodium(I) compounds trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))(2)] (28-31) were prepared from 1, 20, and trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] [R = CF(3) (26), tBu (27)] and diazomethane; with the exception of 30 (R = CF(3), R' = Ph), they thermally rearrange to the isomers trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))(2)] (32, 33, and syn/anti-34). The new 1,1-disubstituted butatriene H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(tBu)Ph (35) was generated either from 31 or 34 and CO. The iodo derivatives trans-[RhI(eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CR(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] [R = Ph (38), p-Anis (39)] were obtained by an unusual route from 1 or 20 and CH(3)I in the presence of KI. While the hydrogenation of 1 and 26 leads to the allenerhodium(I) complexes trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] (40, 41), the thermolysis of 1 and 20 produces the rhodium(I) hexapentaenes trans-[RhCl(eta(2)-R(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CR(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] (44, 45) via C-C coupling. The molecular structures of 3, 7, 12, 21, and 28 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Hydride-alkenylcarbyne to alkenylcarbene transformation in bisphosphine-osmium complexes

The elongated dihydrogen complex [formula: see text](1) reacts with 1,1-diphenyl-2-propyn-1-ol and 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol to give the hydride-hydroxyvinylidene-pi-alkynol derivatives [OsH{=C=CHC(OH)R2}{eta2-HC(triple bond)CC(OH)R2}(PiPr3)2]BF4 (R = Ph (2), Me (3)), where the pi-alkynols act as four-electron donor ligands. Treatment of 2 and 3 with HBF(4) and coordinating solvents leads to the dicationic hydride-alkenylcarbyne compounds [OsH((triple bond)CCH=CR2)S2(PiPr3)2][BF4]2 (R = Ph, S = H(2)O (4), CH(3)CN (5); R = Me, S = CH(3)CN (6)), which in acetonitrile evolve into the alkenylcarbene complexes [Os(=CHCH=CR2)(CH3CN)3(PiPr3)2][BF4](2) (R = Ph (7), Me (8)) by means of a concerted 1,2-hydrogen shift from the osmium to the carbyne carbon atom. Treatment of 2-propanol solutions of 5 with NaCl affords OsHCl2((triple bond)CCH=CPh2)(PiPr3)2 (10), which reacts with AgBF(4) and acetonitrile to give [OsHCl((triple bond)CCH=CPh2)(CH3CN)(PiPr3)2]BF(4) (11). In this solvent complex 11 is converted to [OsCl(=CHCH=CPh2)(CH3CN)2(PiPr3)2]BF(4) (12). Complex 5 reacts with CO to give [Os(=CHCH=CPh2)(CO)(CH3CN)2(PiPr3)2][BF(4)](2) (15). DFT calculations and kinetic studies for the hydride-alkenylcarbyne to alkenylcarbene transformation show that the difference of energy between the starting compounds and the transition states, which can be described as eta(2)-carbene species [formula: see text] increases with the basicity of the metallic center. The X-ray structures of 4 and 7 and the rotational barriers for the carbene ligands of 7, 8, and 12 are also reported.     

Mechanistic investigations of imine hydrogenation catalyzed by cationic iridium complexes

Complexes [IrH2(eta6-C6H6)(PiPr3)]BF4 (1) and [IrH2(NCMe)3(PiPr3)]BF4 (2) are catalyst precursors for homogeneous hydrogenation of N-benzylideneaniline under mild conditions. Precursor 1 generates the resting state [IrH2{eta5-(C6H5)NHCH2Ph}(PiPr3)]BF4 (3), while 2 gives rise to a mixture of [IrH{PhN=CH(C6H4)-kappaN,C}(NCMe)2(PiPr3)]BF4 (4) and [IrH{PhN=CH(C6H4)-kappaN,C}(NCMe)(NH2Ph)(PiPr3)]BF4 (5), in which the aniline ligand is derived from hydrolysis of the imine. The less hindered benzophenone imine forms the catalytically inactive, doubly cyclometalated compound [Ir{HN=CPh(C6H4)-kappaN,C}2(NH2CHPh2)(PiPr3)]BF4 (6). Hydrogenations with precursor 1 are fast and their reaction profiles are strongly dependent on solvent, concentrations, and temperature. Significant induction periods, minimized by addition of the amine hydrogenation product, are commonly observed. The catalytic rate law (THF) is rate = k[1][PhN=CHPh]p(H2). The results of selected stoichiometric reactions of potential catalytic intermediates exclude participation of the cyclometalated compounds [IrH{PhN=CH(C6H4)-kappaN,C}(S)2(PiPr3)]BF4 [S = acetonitrile (4), [D6]acetone (7), [D4]methanol (8)] in catalysis. Reactions between resting state 3 and D2 reveal a selective sequence of deuterium incorporation into the complex which is accelerated by the amine product. Hydrogen bonding among the components of the catalytic reaction was examined by MP2 calculations on model compounds. The calculations allow formulation of an ionic, outer-sphere, bifunctional hydrogenation mechanism comprising 1) amine-assisted oxidative addition of H2 to 3, the result of which is equivalent to heterolytic splitting of dihydrogen, 2) replacement of a hydrogen-bonded amine by imine, and 3) simultaneous H delta+/H delta- transfer to the imine substrate from the NH moiety of an arene-coordinated amine ligand and the metal, respectively.     

Cationic and neutral diphenyldiazomethanerhodium(I) complexes as catalytically active species in the C-C coupling reaction of olefins and diphenyldiazomethane

Cationic rhodium(I) complexes cis-[Rh(acetone)2(L)(L')]+ (2: L = L'=C8H14; 3: L=C8H14; L'=PiPr3; 4: L=L'=PiPr3), prepared from [RhCl(C8H14)2]2] and isolated as PF6 salts, catalyze the C-C coupling reaction of diphenyldiazomethane with ethene, propene, and styrene. In most cases, a mixture of isomeric olefins and cyclopropanes were obtained which are formally built up by one equivalent of RCH=CH2 (R = H, Me, Ph) and one equivalent of CPh2. The efficiency and selectivity of the catalyst depends significantly on the coordination sphere around the rhodium(I) center. Treatment of 4 with Ph2CN2 in the molar ratio of 1:1 and 1:2 gave the complexes trans-[Rh(PiPr3)2(acetone)(eta1-N2CPh2)]PF6 (8) and trans-[Rh(PiPr3)2(eta1-N2CPh2)2]PF6 (9), of which 8 was characterized by X-ray crystallography. Since 8 and 9 not only react with ethene but also catalyze the reaction of C2H4 and free Ph2CN2, they can be regarded as intermediates (possibly resting states) in the C-C coupling process. The lability of 8 and 9 is illustrated by the reactions with pyridine and NaX (X=Cl, Br, I, N3) which afford the mono(diphenyldiazomethane)rhodium(I) compounds trans-[Rh(PiPr3)2(py)(eta1-N2CPh2)]PF6 (10) and trans-[RhX(eta1-N2CPh2)(PiPr3)2] (11-14), respectively. The catalytic activity of the neutral complexes 11 - 14 is somewhat less than that of the cationic species 8, 9 and decreases in the order Cl > Br> I > N3.     

Iridium derivatives of fluorinated aromatics by C-H activation: isolation of classical and non-classical hydrides

A reaction of trans-[Ir(H)(5)(PiPr(3))(2)] (1) with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine, pentafluorobenzene or 1,3-difluorobenzene in the presence of neohexene affords the square-pyramidal C-H activation products cis-trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(2)(PiPr(3))(2)] (2), cis-trans-[Ir(C(6)F(5))(H)(2)(PiPr(3))(2)] (4) and cis-trans-[Ir(2-C(6)H(3)F(2))(H)(2)(PiPr(3))(2)] (6). Irradiation of complex 1 with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine or pentafluorobenzene gave the hydrides cis-trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(2)(H(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] (3) or cis-trans-[Ir(C(6)F(5))(H)(2)(H(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] (5). The presence of non-classical bound H(2) moieties has been demonstrated by the measurement of T(1) times at different temperatures. For 3 the H-H distance in the H(2) ligand can be estimated to be 0.82 A. The dihydride compounds 2, 4 and 6 react with CO to yield the complexes cis-trans-[Ir(Ar)(H)(2)(CO)(PiPr(3))(2)] (7: Ar = 4-C(5)NF(4), 8: Ar = C(6)F(5), 9: Ar = 2-C(6)H(3)F(2)). A reaction of 2 or 3 with an excess of ethylene leads to the formation of ethane and the Ir(i) ethylene complex trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(eta(2)-C(2)H(4))(PiPr(3))(2)] (10). Treatment of 10 with CO furnishes the Ir(i) complex trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(CO)(PiPr(3))(2)] (11).     

C-H activation and C=C double bond formation reactions in iridium ortho-methyl arylphosphane complexes

The Vaska-type iridium(I) complex [IrCl(CO){PPh(2)(2-MeC(6)H(4))}(2)] (1), characterized by an X-ray diffraction study, was obtained from iridium(III) chloride hydrate and PPh(2)(2,6-MeRC(6)H(3)) with R=H in DMF, whereas for R=Me, activation of two ortho-methyl groups resulted in the biscyclometalated iridium(III) compound [IrCl(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}(2)] (2). Conversely, for R=Me the iridium(I) compound [IrCl(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}(2)] (3) can be obtained by treatment of [IrCl(COE)(2)](2) (COE=cyclooctene) with carbon monoxide and the phosphane in acetonitrile. Compound 3 in CH(2)Cl(2) undergoes intramolecular C-H oxidative addition, affording the cyclometalated hydride iridium(III) species [IrHCl(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}{PPh(2)(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}] (4). Treatment of 2 with Na[BAr(f) (4)] (Ar(f)=3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)) gives the fluxional cationic 16-electron complex [Ir(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}(2)][BAr(f) (4)] (5), which reversibly reacts with dihydrogen to afford the delta-agostic complex [IrH(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}{PPh(2)(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}][BAr(f)(4)] (6), through cleavage of an Ir-C bond. This species can also be formed by treatment of 4 with Na[BAr(f)(4)] or of 2 with Na[BAr(f)(4)] through C-H oxidative addition of one ortho-methyl group, via a transient 14-electron iridium(I) complex. Heating of the coordinatively unsaturated biscyclometalated species 5 in toluene gives the trans-dihydride iridium(III) complex [IrH(2)(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-MeC(6)H(3)CH=CHC(6)H(3)Me-2,6)PPh(2)}][BAr(f) (4)] (7), containing a trans-stilbene-type terdentate ligand, as result of a dehydrogenative carbon-carbon double bond coupling reaction, possibly through an iridium carbene species.     

Facile oxidative addition of water at iridium: reactivity of trans-[Ir(4-C5NF4)(H)(OH)(PiPr3)2] towards CO2 and NH3

A reaction of trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(η(2)-C(2)H(4))(PiPr(3))(2)] (1) with an excess of water in THF at room temperature affords the hydrido hydroxo complex trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(OH)(PiPr(3))(2)] (2). Treatment of 2 with CO furnishes trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(OH)(CO)(PiPr(3))(2)] (3). Reductive elimination of water from 3 leads to the formation of the iridium(I) carbonyl complex trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(CO)(PiPr(3))(2)] (4). The insertion of CO(2) into the Ir-O bond of 2 forms the hydrido hydrogencarbonato complex trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(κ(2)-(O,O)-O(2)COH)(PiPr(3))(2)] (5). Treatment of 2 with NH(3) in C(6)D(6) yields trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(OH)(NH(3))(PiPr(3))(2)] (6). Storage of the reaction mixture at room temperature reveals the formation of the N-H activation product [Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(μ-NH(2))(NH(3))(PiPr(3))](2) (7).     

New iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes by [2+2+1] cyclotrimerization of alkynes and facile interconversion between iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes

Iridabenzenes [Ir[=CHCH=CHCH=C(CH2R)](CH3CN)2(PPh3)2]2+ (R=Ph 4 a, R=p-C6H4CH3 4 b) are obtained from the reactions of H+ with iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](CO)(PPh3)2]+ (R'=H 3 a, R'=CH3 3 b), which are prepared from [2+2+1] cyclotrimerization of alkynes in the reactions of [Ir(CH3CN)(CO)(PPh3)2]+ with HC[triple chemical bond]CH and HC[triple chemical bond]CR. Iridabenzenes 4 react with CO and CH3CN in the presence of NEt3 to give iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CHR)](CO)2(PPh3)2]+ (6) and [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CHR)](CH3CN)2(PPh3)2]+ (7), respectively. Iridacyclohexadienes 6 and 7 also convert to iridabenzenes 4 by the reactions with H+ in the presence of CH3CN. Alkynyl iridacyclohexadienes [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](-C[triple chemical bond]CH)(PPh3)2] (8) undergo a cleavage of C[triple chemical bond]C bond by H+/H2O to produce [Ir[-CH=CHCH=CHC(=CH-p-C6H4R')](-CH3)(CO)(PPh3)2] (10) via facile inter-conversion between iridacyclohexadienes and iridabenzenes.     

Sequential and selective hydrogenation of the C(alpha)-C(beta) and M-C(alpha) double bonds of an allenylidene ligand coordinated to osmium: new reaction patterns between an allenylidene complex and alcohols

Complex [OsH(=C=C=CPh2)(CH3CN)2(PiPr3)2]BF4 (1) reacts with primary and secondary alcohols to give the corresponding dehydrogenated alcohols and the hydride-carbene derivative [OsH(=CHCH=CPh2)(CH3CN)2(PiPr3)2]BF4 (2), as a result of hydrogen transfer reactions from the alcohols to the Calpha-Cbeta double bond of the allenylidene ligand of 1. The reactions with phenol and t-butanol, which do not contain any beta-hydrogen, afford the alkoxy-hydride-carbyne complexes [OsH(OR)(CCH=CPh2)(CH3CN)(PiPr3)2]BF4 (R = Ph (3), tBu (4)), as a consequence of the 1,3-addition of the O-H bond of the alcohols to the metallic center and the Cbeta atom of the allenylidene of 1. On the basis of the reactions of 1 with these tertiary alcohols, deuterium labeling experiments, and DFT calculations, the mechanism of the hydrogenation is proposed. In acetonitrile under reflux, the Os-C double bond of 2 undergoes hydrogenation to give 1,1-diphenylpropene and [Os{CH2CH(CH3)PiPr2(CH3CN)3(PiPr3)]BF4 (11), containing a metalated phosphine ligand. This reaction is a first-order process with activation parameters of DeltaH = 89.0 +/- 6.3 kJ mol-1 and DeltaS = -43.5 +/- 9.6 J mol-1 K-1. The X-ray structures of 2 and 3 are also reported.     

Sigma-organyl complexes of ruthenium and osmium supported by a mixed-donor ligand

A series of vinyl, aryl, acetylide and silyl complexes [Ru(R)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2] (R = CH=CH2, CH=CHPh, CH=CHC6H4CH3-4, CH=CH(t)Bu, CH=2OH, C(C triple bond CPh)=CHPh, C6H5, C triple bond CPh, SiMe2OEt; MI = 1-methylimidazole-2-thiolate) were prepared from either [Ru(R)Cl(CO)(PPh3)2] or [Ru(R)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2](BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) by reaction with the nitrogen-sulfur mixed-donor ligand, 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole (HMI), in the presence of base. In the same manner, [Os(CH=CHPh)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2] was prepared from [Os(CH=CHPh)(CO)Cl(BTD)(PPh3)2]. The in situ hydroruthenation of 1-ethynylcyclohexan-1-ol by [RuH(CO)Cl(BTD)(PPh3)2] and subsequent addition of the HMI ligand and excess sodium methoxide yielded the dehydrated 1,3-dienyl complex [Ru(CH=CHC6H9)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2]. Dehydration of the complex [Ru(CH=CHCPh2OH)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2] with HBF4 yielded the vinyl carbene [Ru(=CHCH=CPh2)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2]BF4. The hydride complexes [MH(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2](M = Ru, Os) were obtained from the reaction of HMI and KOH with [RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3] and [OsHCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2], respectively. Reaction of [Ru(CH=CHC6H4CH3-4)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2] with excess HC triple bond CPh leads to isolation of the acetylide complex [Ru(C triple bond CPh)(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2], which is also accessible by direct reaction of [Ru(C triple bond CPh)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] with 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole and NaOMe. The thiocarbonyl complex [Ru(CPh = CHPh)Cl(CS)(PPh3)2] reacted with HMI and NaOMe without migration to yield [Ru(CPh= CHPh)(kappa2-MI)(CS)(PPh3)2], while treatment of [Ru(CH=CHPh)Cl(CO)2(PPh3)2] with HMI yielded the monodentate acyl product [Ru{eta(1)-C(=O)CH=CHPh}(kappa2-MI)(CO)(PPh3)2]. The single-crystal X-ray structures of five complexes bearing vinyl, aryl, acetylide and dienyl functionality are reported.     

Synthesis and reactivity of Ir(I) and Ir(III) complexes with MeNH2, Me2C=NR (R = H, Me), C,N-C6H4{C(Me)=N(Me)}-2, and N,N'-RN=C(Me)CH2C(Me2)NHR (R = H, Me) ligands

Complexes [Ir(Cp*)Cl(n)(NH2Me)(3-n)]X(m) (n = 2, m = 0 (1), n = 1, m = 1, X = Cl (2a), n = 0, m = 2, X = OTf (3)) are obtained by reacting [Ir(Cp*)Cl(mu-Cl)]2 with MeNH2 (1:2 or 1:8) or with [Ag(NH2Me)2]OTf (1:4), respectively. Complex 2b (n = 1, m = 1, X = ClO 4) is obtained from 2a and NaClO4 x H2O. The reaction of 3 with MeC(O)Ph at 80 degrees C gives [Ir(Cp*){C,N-C6H4{C(Me)=N(Me)}-2}(NH2Me)]OTf (4), which in turn reacts with RNC to give [Ir(Cp*){C,N-C6H4{C(Me)=N(Me)}-2}(CNR)]OTf (R = (t)Bu (5), Xy (6)). [Ir(mu-Cl)(COD)]2 reacts with [Ag{N(R)=CMe2}2]X (1:2) to give [Ir{N(R)=CMe2}2(COD)]X (R = H, X = ClO4 (7); R = Me, X = OTf (8)). Complexes [Ir(CO)2(NH=CMe2)2]ClO4 (9) and [IrCl{N(R)=CMe2}(COD)] (R = H (10), Me (11)) are obtained from the appropriate [Ir{N(R)=CMe2}2(COD)]X and CO or Me4NCl, respectively. [Ir(Cp*)Cl(mu-Cl)]2 reacts with [Au(NH=CMe2)(PPh3)]ClO4 (1:2) to give [Ir(Cp*)(mu-Cl)(NH=CMe2)]2(ClO4)2 (12) which in turn reacts with PPh 3 or Me4NCl (1:2) to give [Ir(Cp*)Cl(NH=CMe2)(PPh3)]ClO4 (13) or [Ir(Cp*)Cl2(NH=CMe2)] (14), respectively. Complex 14 hydrolyzes in a CH2Cl2/Et2O solution to give [Ir(Cp*)Cl2(NH3)] (15). The reaction of [Ir(Cp*)Cl(mu-Cl)]2 with [Ag(NH=CMe2)2]ClO4 (1:4) gives [Ir(Cp*)(NH=CMe2)3](ClO4)2 (16a), which reacts with PPNCl (PPN = Ph3=P=N=PPh3) under different reaction conditions to give [Ir(Cp*)(NH=CMe2)3]XY (X = Cl, Y = ClO4 (16b); X = Y = Cl (16c)). Equimolar amounts of 14 and 16a react to give [Ir(Cp*)Cl(NH=CMe2)2]ClO4 (17), which in turn reacts with PPNCl to give [Ir(Cp*)Cl(H-imam)]Cl (R-imam = N,N'-N(R)=C(Me)CH2C(Me)2NHR (18a)]. Complexes [Ir(Cp*)Cl(R-imam)]ClO4 (R = H (18b), Me (19)) are obtained from 18a and AgClO4 or by refluxing 2b in acetone for 7 h, respectively. They react with AgClO4 and the appropriate neutral ligand or with [Ag(NH=CMe2)2]ClO4 to give [Ir(Cp*)(R-imam)L](ClO4)2 (R = H, L = (t)BuNC (20), XyNC (21); R = Me, L = MeCN (22)) or [Ir(Cp*)(H-imam)(NH=CMe2)](ClO4)2 (23a), respectively. The later reacts with PPNCl to give [Ir(Cp*)(H-imam)(NH=CMe2)]Cl(ClO4) (23b). The reaction of 22 with XyNC gives [Ir(Cp*)(Me-imam)(CNXy)](ClO4)2 (24). The structures of complexes 15, 16c and 18b have been solved by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Syntheses of four-membered metallacyclic complexes with nitrosylruthenium and their ring-opening upon HCl addition

Symmetrically disubstituted bis(3-hydroxyalkynyl) complex [TpRu{C[triple chemical bond]CCPh(2)(OH)}(2)(NO)] (1) (Tp = BH(pyrazol-1-yl)(3)) and unsymmetrically mixed (arylalkynyl)(3-hydroxyalkynyl) congener [TpRu(C[triple chemical bond]CC(6)H(4)Me){C[triple chemical bond]CCPh(2)(OH)}(NO)] (2) were newly prepared. Treatment of 1 or 2 with p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate was carried out to give unusual four-membered metallacyclic complexes [TpRu{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)C(=CPh(2))}(NO)] (3) and [TpRu{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)CH(C(6)H(4)Me)}(NO)] (5), respectively, as major products. Formation mechanism of 3 and 5 would involve insertion of the generated allenylidene group (Ru=C=C=CPh(2)) into the other Ru--C(alkynyl) bond, followed by hydration of the resulting alpha-alkynyl--allenyl fragment. With regards to the chemical reactivity of their four-membered metallacycles, treatment with aq. HCl in MeOH afforded the ring-opened one-HCl adducts, [TpRuCl{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)CH=CPh(2)}(NO)] (7) and [TpRuCl{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)CH(2)(C(6)H(4)Me)}(NO)] (8). On the other hand, the use of CH(2)Cl(2) and THF as the reaction solvent gave another type of one-HCl adducts [TpRu{CH(C(Cl)=CPh(2))C(O)C(==CPh(2))}(NO)] (9 a/9 b) and [TpRu{CH(C(Cl)=CPh(2))C(O)CH(C(6)H(4)Me)}(NO)] (11 a/11 b) as diastereomeric pairs, still retaining the four-membered ring structure. Moreover, their kinetically controlled products 9 b and 11 b were treated with aq. HCl to afford the ring-opened two-HCl adducts [TpRuCl{C(C(Cl)=CPh(2))(H)C(O)CH=CPh(2)}(NO)] (10) and [TpRuCl{CH(C(6)H(4)Me)C(O)CH(2)(C(Cl)=CPh(2))}(NO)] (12), respectively. In 10 and 12, each one Ru--C bond is cleaved at mutually different positions in the ring. Protonation on the carbonyl group would trigger the formation of 7-12.     

Iridium(III) silyl alkyl and iridacyclic compounds supported by 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl

Treatment of IrCl(3)x H(2)O with one equivalent of 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (dtbpy) in N,N-dimethylformamide (dmf) afforded [IrCl(3)(dmf)(dtbpy)] (1). Alkylation of 1 with Me(3)SiCH(2)MgCl resulted in C--Si cleavage of the Me(3)SiCH(2) group and formation of the Ir(III) silyl dialkyl compound [Ir(CH(2)SiMe(3))(dtbpy)(Me)(SiMe(3))] (2), which reacted with tBuNC to afford [Ir(tBuNC)(CH(2)SiMe(3))(dtbpy)(Me)(SiMe(3))] ([2(tBuNC)]). Reaction of 2 with phenylacetylene afforded dimeric [{Ir(C[triple chemical bond]CPh)(dtbpy)(SiMe(3))}(2)(mu-C[triple chemical bond]CPh)(2)] (3), in which the bridging PhC[triple chemical bond]C(-) ligands are bound to Ir in a mu-sigma:pi fashion. Alkylation of 1 with PhMe(2)CCH(2)MgCl afforded the cyclometalated compound [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4))(2-C(6)H(4)CMe(3))] (4), which features an agostic interaction between the Ir center and the 2-tert-butylphenyl ligand. The cyclic voltammogram of 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) shows a reversible Ir(IV)-Ir(III) couple at about 0.02 V versus ferrocenium/ferrocene. Oxidation of 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) with silver triflate afforded an Ir(IV) species that exhibits an anisotropic electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal in CH(2)Cl(2) glass at 4 K with g( parallel)=2.430 and g( perpendicular)=2.110. Protonation of 4 with HCl and p-toluenesulfonic acid (HOTs) afforded [{Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph)Cl}(2)(mu-Cl)(2)] (5) and [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph)(OTs)(2)] (6), respectively. Reaction of 5 with Li[BEt(3)H] gave the cyclometalated complex [{Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4))}(2)(mu-Cl)(2)] (7). Reaction of 4 with tetracyanoethylene in refluxing toluene resulted in electrophilic substitution of the iridacycle by C(2)(CN)(3) with formation of [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(3){4-C(2)(CN)(3)})(2-C(6)H(4)CMe(3))] (8). Reaction of 4 with diethyl maleate in refluxing toluene gave the iridafuran compound [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4)){kappa(2)(C,O)-C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)}] (9). Treatment of 9 with 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (xylNC) led to cleavage of the iridafuran ring and formation of [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4)){C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)}(xylNC)] (10). Protonation of 9 with HBF(4) afforded the dinuclear neophyl complex [(Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph){kappa(2)(C,O)-C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)})(2)][BF(4)](2) (11). The solid-state structures of complexes 2-5 and 8-11 have been determined.     

Dimethylsulfoxide as a ligand for RhI and IrI complexes--isolation, structure, and reactivity towards X-H bonds (X=H, OH, OCH3)

Novel neutral and cationic Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes that contain only DMSO molecules as dative ligands with S-, O-, and bridging S,O-binding modes were isolated and characterized. The neutral derivatives [RhCl(DMSO)(3)] (1) and [IrCl(DMSO)(3)] (2) were synthesized from the dimeric precursors [M(2)Cl(2)(coe)(4)] (M=Rh, Ir; COE=cyclooctene). The dimeric Ir(I) compound [Ir(2)Cl(2)(DMSO)(4)] (3) was obtained from 2. The first example of a square-planar complex with a bidentate S,O-bridging DMSO ligand, [(coe)(DMSO)Rh(micro-Cl)(micro-DMSO)RhCl(DMSO)] (4), was obtained by treating [Rh(2)Cl(2)(coe)(4)] with three equivalents of DMSO. The mixed DMSO-olefin complex [IrCl(cod)(DMSO)] (5, COD=cyclooctadiene) was generated from [Ir(2)Cl(2)(cod)(2)]. Substitution reactions of these neutral systems afforded the complexes [RhCl(py)(DMSO)(2)] (6), [IrCl(py)(DMSO)(2)] (7), [IrCl(iPr(3)P)(DMSO)(2)] (8), [RhCl(dmbpy)(DMSO)] (9, dmbpy=4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine), and [IrCl(dmbpy)(DMSO)] (10). The cationic O-bound complex [Rh(cod)(DMSO)(2)]BF(4) (11) was synthesized from [Rh(cod)(2)]BF(4). Treatment of the cationic complexes [M(coe)(2)(O=CMe(2))(2)]PF(6) (M=Rh, Ir) with DMSO gave the mixed S- and O-bound DMSO complexes [M(DMSO)(2)(DMSO)(2)]PF(6) (Rh=12; Ir=in situ characterization). Substitution of the O-bound DMSO ligands with dmbpy or pyridine resulted in the isolation of [Rh(dmbpy)(DMSO)(2)]PF(6) (13) and [Ir(py)(2)(DMSO)(2)]PF(6) (14). Oxidative addition of hydrogen to [IrCl(DMSO)(3)] (2) gave the kinetic product fac-[Ir(H)(2)Cl(DMSO)(3)] (15) which was then easily converted to the more thermodynamically stable product mer-[Ir(H)(2)Cl(DMSO)(3)] (16). Oxidative addition of water to both neutral and cationic Ir(I) DMSO complexes gave the corresponding hydrido-hydroxo addition products syn-[(DMSO)(2)HIr(micro-OH)(2)(micro-Cl)IrH(DMSO)(2)][IrCl(2)(DMSO)(2)] (17) and anti-[(DMSO)(2)(DMSO)HIr(micro-OH)(2)IrH(DMSO)(2)(DMSO)][PF(6)](2) (18). The cationic [Ir(DMSO)(2)(DMSO)(2)]PF(6) complex (formed in situ from [Ir(coe)(2)(O=CMe(2))(2)]PF(6)) also reacts with methanol to give the hydrido-alkoxo complex syn-[(DMSO)(2)HIr(micro-OCH(3))(3)IrH(DMSO)(2)]PF(6) (19). Complexes 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, and 19 were characterized by crystallography.     

Carbenerhodium complexes of the half-sandwich-type: synthesis, substitution, and addition reactions

A series of carbenerhodium(I) complexes of the general composition [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(=CRR')(L)] (2a-2i) with R = R'= aryl and L = SbiPr3 or PR3 has been prepared from the square-planar precursors trans-[RhCl(=CRR')(L)2] and NaC5H5 in excellent yields. Reaction of the triisopropylsibane derivative 2a. which contains a rather labile Rh-Sb bond, with CO, PMe3, and CNR (R = Me, CH2Ph, tBu) leads to the displacement of the SbiPr3 ligand and affords the substitution products [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(=CPh2)(L)] (3-7). In contrast, treatment of the triisopropylphosphane compound 2c with CO and CNtBu leads to the cleavage of the Rh=CPh2 bond and gives besides [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(PiPr3)(L)] (10, 12) by metal-assisted C-C coupling diphenylketene Ph2C=C=O (11) or the corresponding imine Ph2C=C=NtBu (13). While the reaction of 2a, c with C2H4 yields [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(C2H4)(L)] (14, 15) and the trisubstituted olefin Ph2C=CHCH3 (16), treatment of 2a, c with RN3 leads to the cleavage of both the Rh-EiPr3 and Rh=CPh2 bonds and gives the chelate complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(kappa2-RNNNNR)] (19, 20). The substitution products 3 (L=CO) and 4 (L= PMe3) react with an equimolar amount of sulfur or selenium by addition of the chalcogen to the Rh=CPh2 bond to generate the complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(kappa2-ECPh2)(L)] (21-24) with thio- or selenobenzophenone as ligand. Similarly, treatment of 3 with CuCl affords the unusual 1:2 adduct [(eta5-C5H5)(CO)Rh(mu-CPh2)(CuCl)2] (25), which reacts with NaC5H5 to form [(eta5-C5H5)(CO)Rh(muCPh2)Cu(eta5-C5H5)] (26). The molecular structures of 3 and 22 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Vinyl and carbene ruthenium(II) complexes from hydridoruthenium(II) precursors

The reactions of the hydrido compounds [RuHCl(CO)(L)2][L = PiPr3 (1), PCy3 (2)] with HC(triple bond)CR (R = H, Ph, tBu) afforded by insertion of the alkyne into the Ru-H bond the corresponding vinyl complexes [RuCl(CHCHR)(CO)(L)2], 3-8, which upon protonation with HBF4 gave the cationic five-coordinated ruthenium carbenes [RuCl(CHCH2R)(CO)(L)2]BF4, 9-14. Subsequent reactions of the carbene complexes with PR3(R = Me, iPr) and CH3CN led either to deprotonation and re-generation of the vinyl compounds or to cleavage of the ruthenium-carbene bond and the formation of the six-coordinated complexes [RuCl(CO)(CH3CN)2(PiPr3)2]BF4, 17, and [RuH(CO)(CH3CN)2(PiPr3)2]X, 18a,b. The acetato derivative [RuH(2-O2CCH3)(CO)(PCy3)2], 19, also reacted with acetylene and phenylacetylene by insertion to yield the related vinyl complexes [Ru(CHCHR)(kappa2-O2CCH3)(CO)(PCy3)2], 20, 21, of which that with R = H was protonated with HBF4 to yield the corresponding cationic ruthenium carbene 22. With [RuHCl(H2)(PCy3)2], 25, as the starting material, the five-coordinated chloro(hydrido)ruthenium(II) compounds [RuHCl(PCy3)(dppf)], 26(dppf = [Fe(eta5-C5H4PPh2)2]), [RuHCl[Sb(CH2Ph)3](PCy3)2], 27, and [RuHCl(CH3CN)(PCy3)2], 30, were prepared. The reactions of 27 with HCCR (R = H, Ph) gave the hydrido(vinylidene) complexes [RuHCl(CCHR)(PCy3)2], 28 and 29, whereas treatment of 30 with HC(triple bond)CPh afforded the vinyl compound [RuCl(CHCHPh)(CH3CN)(PCy3)2], 31. The molecular structures of 11(R = tBu, L = PiPr3) and 26 were determined crystallographically.     

The bridging function of an apparently nonbridging ligand: dinuclear rhodium complexes with Rh(mu-SbR3)Rh as a molecular unit

Novel dinuclear rhodium complexes of the general composition [Rh2Cl2(mu-CRR')2(mu-SbiPr3)] (4-6) were prepared by thermolysis of the mononuclear precursors trans-[RhCl(=CRR')(SbiPr3)2] in excellent yield. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of 4 (R = R' = Ph) confirms the symmetrical bridging position of the stibane ligand. Related compounds [Rh2Cl2(mu-CPh2)(mu-CRR')(mu-SbiPr3)] (7, 8) with two different carbene units were obtained either from trans-[RhCl(=CPh2)(SbiPr3)2] (1) and RR'CN2 or by a conproportionation of 4 and 5 (R = R' = p-Tol) or 4 and 6 (R= Ph, R' = p-Tol), respectively. While CO reacts with 4 to give the polymeric product [[RhCl(CPh2)(CO)]n] (9), tert-butyl isocyanide replaces the bridging stibane and yields [Rh2Cl2(mu-CPh2)2(mu-CNtBu)] (10). The reaction of 4 with tertiary phosphanes PR3 leads to complete bridge cleavage and affords the mononuclear compounds trans-[RhCl(=CPh2)(PR3)2] (11-15). In contrast, treatment of 4 with SbMe3 and SbEt3 yields the related triply bridged complexes [Rh2Cl2(mu-CPh2)2(mu-SbR3)] (16, 17) by substitution of SbiPr3 for the smaller stibanes. The displacement of the chloro ligands in 4-6 and 10 by n5-cyclopentadienyl gives the dinuclear complexes [(n5-C5H5)2Rh2(mu-CRR')2] (18-20) and [(n5-C5H5)2Rh2(mu-CPh2)2(mu-CNtBu)] (21), of which 18 (R = R' = Ph) was characterized crystallographically.