Oxidation of the [Rh(CO)2Cl2] anion in aqueous solution

The reaction of rhodium(I) carbonyl chloride, [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂, with dichromate, cerium(IV) sulfate, hexachloroplatinic acid or p-benzoquinone in aqueous hydrochloric acid proceeds by consumption of 4 equivalents of oxidizing agent per mole or rhodium(I) in accordance with the equation Rh^I(CO)₂  4e + H₂O → Rh^III(CO) + 2H⁺ + CO₂A “cyclic” oxidation mechanism is suggested.     

High Nuclearity Bimetallic Rhodium–Palladium Carbonyl Cluster Complexes. Synthesis and Characterization of Rh6(CO)16[Pd(PBu t 3)]3 and Rh6(CO)16[Pd(PBu t 3)]4

The reaction of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ with Pd(PBu ^t ₃)₂ yielded the high nuclearity bimetallic hexarhodium-tripalladium cluster complex Rh₆(CO)₁₆[Pd(PBu ^t ₃)]₃, 10, in 11% yield. Compound 10 was converted to the hexarhodium-tetrapalladium cluster Rh₆(CO)₁₆[Pd(PBu ^t ₃)]₄, 11, in 62% yield by reaction with an additional quantity of Pd(PBu ^t ₃)₂. Both compounds were characterized crystallographically. Structurally, both compounds consist of an octahedral cluster of six rhodium atoms with sixteen carbonyl ligands analogous to that of the known compound Rh₆(CO)₁₆. Compound 10 also contains three Pd(PBu ^t ₃) groups that bridge three Rh–Rh bonds along edges of the Rh₆ octahedron to give an overall D₃ symmetry to the Rh₆Pd₃ cluster. Compound 11 contains four edge bridging Pd(PBu ^t ₃) groups distributed across the Rh₆ octahedron to give an overall D_2d symmetry to the Rh₆Pd₄ cluster. Each Rh–Pd connection in both compounds contains a bridging carbonyl ligand that helps to stabilize the bond between the Pd(PBu ^t ₃) groups and the Rh atoms. Both compounds can be regarded as Pd(PBu ^t ₃) adducts of Rh₆(CO)₁₆.     

Bidentate amines as bridges between M(CO)2Cl (M = Rh OR Ir) units

The preparation and characterization by elemental analysis, electronic and infrared spectroscopy are reported for the monomeric complexes cis-(amine)-M(CO)₂Cl (M = Ir or Rh, amine = 1,8-naphthyridine or pyridazine; M = Ir, amine = o-phenylenediamine) and the binuclear species (1,8-naphthyridine)Rh₂(CO)₄Cl₂, (1,8-naphthyridine)IrRh(CO)₄Cl₂, (pyrazine)Rh₂(CO)₄Cl₂ and (1,3-di-4-pyridylpropane)Rh₂(CO)₄Cl₂.     

Radiation reduction of binuclear Rh(II) complexes in aqueous-methanol solutions

Radiation reduction of binuclear [Rh₂(OAc)₂(phen)₂(H₂O)₂](OAc)₂, [Rh₂(OAc)(tpy)₂Cl₂]Cl·2H₂O and [Rh₂Cl₂(HCOO)₂(bpy)₂]·4H₂O complexes in aqueous-methanol solution have been studied. The reduction yields as equal to ca. 6 equiv/100eV and the rate constants of reactions: complex+e _solv ⁻ as equal to 2.9·10¹⁰, 3.2·10¹⁰ and 3.7·10¹⁰ M⁻¹·s⁻¹, respectively, have been determined. On the basis of electronic spectra it has been shown that Rh(II) compounds were reduced giving several Rh(I) complexes being in equilibrium. The mechanism of the processes has been discussed.     

Synthesis and structures of new heteronuclear cluster complexes [PPh4][Fe4Rh3Se2(CO)16] and [PPh4]2[Fe3Rh4Te2(CO)15]

The reaction of the K₂[Fe₃Q(CO)₉] clusters (Q = Se or Te) with Rh₂(CO)₄Cl₂ under mild conditions is accompanied by complicated fragmentation of cores of the starting clusters to form large heteronuclear cluster anions. The [PPh₄][Fe₄Rh₃Se₂(CO)₁₆] and [PPh₄]₂[Fe₃Rh₄Te₂(CO)₁₅] compounds were isolated by treatment of the reaction products with tetraphenylphosphonium bromide. The structures of the products were established by X-ray diffraction. In both compounds, the core of the heteronuclear cluster consists of two octahedra fused via a common Rh₃ face. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 775–778, May, 2006.     

The reaction of dichlorotetracarbonyldirhodium,Rh2Cl2(CO)4, with t-buthyl Isocyanide

By studying the evolution of CO from Rh₂Cl₂(Co)₄ in various solvents with successive additions of t-BuNC and by measuring the conductances and infrared spectra of these solutions, the course of the reaction and the nature of the intermediates have been established. The intermediates RhCl(CO)₂(t-BuNC) and RhCl(CO)(t-BuNC)₂ in the formation of [Rh(t-BuNC)₄]Cl were isolated as blue-black solids from yellow solutions.     

Synthesis,Reactivity, and Fluxional Behaviour of [Ir2Rh2(CO)12], and Crystal Structure of [Ir2Rh2(CO)8(norbornadiene)2]

The synthesis of [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₁₂] ( 1 ) by the literature method gives a mixture 1 /[IrRh₃(CO)₁₂] which cannot be separated using chromatography. The reaction of [Ir(CO)₄]^? with 1 mol-equiv. of [Rh(CO)₂(THF)₂]⁺ in THF gives pure 1 in 61% yield. Crystals of 1 are highly disordered, unlike those of its derivative [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₅(μ₂-CO)₃(norbornadiene)₂] which were analysed using X-ray diffraction. The ground-state geometry of 1 in solution has three edge-bridging CO's on the basal IrRh₂ face of the metal tetrahedron. Time averaging of CO's takes place above 230 K. The CO site exchange of lowest activation energy is due to one synchronous change of basal face, as shown by 2D- and VT-¹³C-NMR. Substitution of CO by X^? in 1 takes place at a Rh-atom giving [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₈(μ₂-CO)₃X]^? (X = Br, I). Substitution by bidentate ligands gives [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₇(μ₂-CO)₃(η⁴-L)] (L = norbornadiene, cycloocta-1,5-diene) where the ligand L is chelating a Rh-atom of the basal IrRh₂ face. Carbonyl substitution by tridentate ligands gives [Ir₂Rh₂(CO)₆(μ₂-CO)₃(μ₃-L)] (L = 1,3,5-trithiane, tripod) with L capping the triangular basal face of the metal tetrahedron. Carbonyl scrambling is also observed in these substituted derivatives of 1 and is mainly due to the rotation of three terminal CO's about a local C₃ axis on the apical Ir-atom.     

High-yield syntheses of [Rh7(CO)16] and [Rh14(CO)25] working in ethylene glycol solution under 1 atm of CO

The anionic rhodium carbonyl clusters [Rh₇(CO)₁₆]³⁻ and [Rh₁₄(CO)₂₅]⁴⁻ can be easily prepared by a new simple and high yield one-pot synthesis starting from RhCl₃·nH₂O dissolved in ethylene glycol and involving two steps: (i) treatment of RhCl₃·nH₂O under 1 atm of CO at 50 °C to give [Rh(CO)₂Cl₂]⁻; (ii) addition of a base (CH₃CO₂Na or Na₂CO₃) followed by reductive carbonylation under 1 atm of CO at an adequate temperature (50 °C for [Rh₇(CO)₁₆]³⁻; 150 °C for [Rh₁₄(CO)₂₅]⁴⁻). These new syntheses are more convenient than those previously reported, especially since such clusters are not accessible via silica surface-mediated reactions. This different behavior is due to the particular stabilization on the silica surface and under 1 atm of CO of an anionic carbonyl cluster, called A, which does not allow the formation of a higher nuclearity carbonyl cluster, called B, which was shown to be the key-intermediate in the synthesis of [Rh₁₄(CO)₂₅]⁴⁻ working in ethylene glycol solution. Although it was not possible to isolate crystals of A and B suitable for X-ray structural determination, a combination of cyclovoltammetry, one of the few examples so far available of the use of this technique for anionic rhodium carbonyl clusters, infrared spectroscopy and elemental analyses suggest that A and B are probably the never reported [Rh₇(CO)₁₄]⁻ and [Rh₁₅(CO)₂₈]³⁻ clusters, respectively. In particular the tentative formulation of the two clusters was carried out by a non-conventional method based on the existence of a linear correlation between carbonyl frequencies of the main band and the [(charge/Rh atoms)/CO number] ratio.     

Syntheses and structural characterizations of the octahedral boride clusters [Rh2Ru4H(CO)16−2x (nbd) x B] (x=1,2) and gold(I) phosphine derivatives (nbd=norbornadiene)

The reaction of less than one equivalent of [Rh₂Cl₂(nbd)₂] with [Ru₄H(CO)₁₂BH]⁻, which contains a semi-interstitial boron atom, yields the heterometallic boride clustercis-[Rh₂Ru₄H(CO)₁₂(nbd)₂B] which has been characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction methods. The cluster has an octahedral core, consistent with an 86 electron count. Deprotonation yields the conjugate basecis-[Rh₂Ru₄(CO)₁₂(nbd)₂B]⁻ which has been isolated and fully characterized as the [(Ph₃P)₂N]⁺ salt. There is little structural perturbation upon going fromcis-[Rh₂Ru₄H(CO)₁₂(nbd)₂B] tocis-[Rh₂Ru₄(CO)₁₂(nbd)₂B]⁻ and neither cluster shows a tendency for the formation of thetrans skeletal isomer in contrast to the analogous carbonyl clustercis-[Rh₂Ru₄(CO)₁₆B]⁻. If the reaction of [Rh₂Cl₂(nbd)₂] with [Ru₄H(CO)₁₂BH]⁻ is allowed to proceed for 30 min and [R ₃PAuCl] (R=Ph, C₆H₁₁, 2-MeC₆H₄) is then added, the clusterscis-[Rh₂Ru₄(CO)₁₂(nbd)₂B(AuPR₃)] andcis-[Rh₂Ru₄(CO)₁₄(nbd)B(AuPR₃)] are formed in yields that are dependent upon the initial reaction period. The single crystal structures ofcis-[Rh₂Ru₄(CO)₁₂(nbd)₂B(AuPPh₃)] andcis-[Rh₂Ru₄(CO)₁₄(nbd)B(AuPPh₃)] are reported. In contrast to their all-carbonyl analoguescis-[Rh₂Ru₄(CO)₁₆B(AuPR ₃)] (R=Ph or C₆H₁₁), the nbd derivatives do not undergocis →trans skeletal isomerism.     

Surface supported metal cluster carbonyls. Chemisorption decomposition and reactivity of Rh4(CO)12 supported on silica and alumina

Chemisorption of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ on to a highly divided silica (Aerosil “0” from Degussa), Leads to the transformation: 3 Rh₄(CO)₁₂ → 2 Rh₆(CO)₁₆ + 4 CO. Such an easy rearrangement of the cluster cage implies mobility of zerovalent rhodium carbonyl fragments on the surface. Carbon monoxide is a very efficient inhibitor of this reaction, and Rh₄(CO)₁₂ is stable as such on silica under a CO atmosphere. Both Rh₄(CO)₁₂ and Rh₆(CO)₁₆ are easily decomposed to small metal particles of higher nuclearity under a water atmosphere and to rhodium(I) dicarbonyl species under oxygen. From the Rh^I(CO)₂ species it is possible to regenate first Rh₄(CO)₁₂ and then Rh₆(CO)₁₆ by treatment with CO (P_co ? 200 mm Hg) and H₂O (P_H2O ? 18 mm Hg). The reduction of Rh^I(CO)₂ surface species by water requires a nucleophilic attack to produce an hypothetical [Rh(CO)_n]_m species which can polymerize to small Rh₄ or Rh₆ clusters in the presence of CO but which in the absence of CO lead to metal particles of higher nuclearity. Similar results are obtained on alumina.     

Structural characterization of the anions [Rh6(CO)15X]− [X = COEt and CO(OMe)]

The anions [Rh₆(CO)₁₅X]^?, with X = COEt and CO(OMe), have been studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They contain octahedral rhodium clusters, with mean metalmetal distances of 2.779 and 2.765 », respectively. The carbonyl stereochemistry in the two anions is similar to that of Rh₆(CO)₁₆, with one terminal CO group replaced by the X ligand. The RhC(carbomethoxy) bond distance (1.96(2) ») is significantly shorter than the RhC(acyl) distance (2.06(2) »).     

Photochemical reaction of Rh2(CO)4(μ-TPP)(TPP=tetraphenyl-porphyrinato) with pyridine (Py) in benzene. Generation of a mononuclear rhodium(II) porphyrin radical complex Rh(TPP)(Py)

Photolytic decarbonylation of Rh₂(CO)₄(TPP) (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrinato) with pyridine (Py) in benzene gives an unusual monomeric Rh^II radical complex Rh(TPP)(Py), which has been characterised by thermal and spectroscopic measurements and by vapour pressure osmosis.     

[Fec3(μ3-CR)(CO)10]− Cluster anions as building blocks for the synthesis of mixed-metal clusters: II. Synthesis of HFe3Rh(μ4-η2-CCHR)(CO)11 clusters (R = H or C6H5) and study of their catalytic activity (R = C6H5) under hydroformylation and hydrogenation conditions

The mixed-metal vinylidene clusters HFe₃Rh(CO)₁₁(CCHR) (R = H, C₆H₅) have been synthesized via the reaction of [HFe₃(CO)₃CCHR][P(C₆H₅)₄] with [RhCl(CO)₂]₂ in the presence of a thallium salt. The reaction initially gives the [Fe₃Rh(CO)₁₁]CCHR][P(C₆H₅)₄] cluster which leads to the final products by protonation. Spectroscopic data indicate a μ₄-η² mode of bonding for the vinylidene ligand. A structure with a Fe₃Rh core in a butterfly configuration and in which the rhodium atom occupy a wing-tip site is proposed. The catalytic activity of HFe₃Rh(CO)₁₁(CCH(C₆H₅)) (80% yield) has been checked in hydroformylation and hydrogenation. In hydroformylation the cluster shows the same activity as Rh₄(CO)₁₂, whereas in hydrogenation the mixed-metal system shows specific activity; isomerization of 1-heptene to cis and trans 2-heptene takes place with no more than 14% heptane formation. The cluster is broken down during the catalysis, and some H₃Fe₃CO)₉(μ₃-CCH₂(C₆H₅)) is formed. The latter cluster is not an active catalyst, and under the same conditions use of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ results mainly in hydrogenation of 1-heptene. These observations suggest that the active species is a mixed iron-rhodium system.     

Synthesis and reactivity of rhodium(I) complexes of the type Rh(L-L)(CO)[P(OPh)3] and Rh(L-L)[P(OPh)3]2

Summary The carbonyl ligands in the Rh¹ complexes Rh(L-L)(CO)₂ [L-L=anthranilate (AA) orN-phenylanthranilate(FA) ions] are replaced by P(OPh)₃ to form the mono-or disubstituted products, Rh(L-L)(CO)[P(OPh)₃] and Rh(L-L)[P(OPh)₃]₂ respectively depending on the [P(OPh)₃]/[Rh] molar ratio, at room temperature and in air. Under argon at [P(OPh)₃]/[Rh]4 theortho-metallated Rh¹ complex Rh[P(OPh)₃]₃[P(OC₆H₄)-OPh)₂] is formed. The new route forortho-metallated Rh¹ complex synthesis is described.The Rh(AA)(CO)₂ complex was used as a catalyst precursor in hydroformylation of olefins.     

High nuclearity PtRh carbonyl clusters. Synthesis and X-ray characterization of the [Pt2Rh9(CO)22]3− trianion

The new mixed PtRh cluster trianion [Pt₂Rh₉(CO)₂₂]^3? has been isolated as a minor product of the pyrolysis of [PtRh₅(CO)₁₅]^?, and has been characterized by X-ray diffraction. The metal skeleton, which has ideal D_3h symmetry, consists of three face-to-face condensed octahedra, as previously found in the isoelectronic species [Rh₁₁CO)₂₃]^3?, with the Pt atoms on the three-fold axis, in the positions of maximum MM connectivity.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of [Rh3(μ-PPh2)3(CO)6(PPh2-H)], an unusual six-membered inorganic ring complex

Reaction of [{Rh(μ-Cl)(CO)₂}₂] with PPh₂H in CO-saturated ethanol yields [Rh₃(μ-PPh₂)₃ (CO)₆ (PPh₂H)], a red trinuclear cluster of rhodium containing a near-planar six-membered Rh₃P₃ ring; this compound reversibly undergoes elimination of CO and PPh₂H to afford [Rh₃(μ-PPh₂)₃(CO)₅].     

Pulse radiolysis of (RhI(CO)2Cl)2 and (RhII(CH3COO)2)2 solutions under CO or N2 atmosphere

Ethanolic solutions of (Rh^I(CO)₂Cl)₂ and aqueous solutions of (Rh^IICH₃COO)₂)₂ have been investigated by pulse radiolysis under CO or N₂ atmosphere. In the first case the reduction of the Rh^I complex is shown to proceed via CO^- formation. In the second case, several steps have been evidenced, one of them extremely fast, indicating an exceptional reactivity of such a binuclear rhodium structure towards the electron. Spectra of transient species at different times are presented. A species absorbing at 520 nm, already present at 10 ns, is assigned to a Rh^IRh^II complex resulting itself from a reaction of the initial salt with pre-solvated electrons. A mechanism is proposed to account for the decay kinetics of e^-_aq and the spectral changes. The rate constants are evaluated for each of the five steps occuring within the first microsecond.     

Oxidative addition of acid chlorides to cationic rhodium(I) complexes of chelating diphosphines

The reaction of benzoyl chloride with [Rh(dppp)₂]Cl at 190°C and with [Rh(dppp)Cl]_{1 or 2} at 25°C where dppp  1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane has been examined. In both cases the five coordinate compound RhCl₂(COPh)-(dppp) was rapidly formed and isolated in high yield. This compound does not undergo phenyl migration to RhCl₂(CO)(Ph)(dppp) even upon warming to 190°C in benzoyl chloride solution and no decarbonylation products are observed. This is in marked contrast to the reaction of RhCl(PPh₃)₃ with benzoyl chloride where the migrated product RhCl₂(CO)(Ph)(PPh₃)₂ is formed with the eventual reductive elimination of chlorobenzene. The single crystal X-ray analysis of RhCl₂(COPh)(dppp) has been carried out (R  0.036). The compound is square pyramidal with the COPh group in the apical position. The Rh—C bond distance of 1.992(3) Å is short for a Rh^III—Cσ bond and indicates d_π → π^★ back bonding.     

Synthesis and properties of Rh6- and Os3-cluster-containing monomers and their copolymers with styrene

Cluster metal-containing monomers were obtained and characterized. Mono- and disubstituted products were obtained under mild conditions via the interaction of Rh₆(CO)₁₆ with 4-vinylpyridine (4-VPy) in the presence of trimethylamin-N-oxide. Substitution of labile acetonitrile ligand in Rh₆(CO)₁₅NCMe by allyldiphenylphosphine (AlPPh₂) yields Rh₆(CO)₁₄(μ,η²-PPh₂CH₂CH=CH₂) with formation of π-complex. The structures of Rh₆(CO)₁₅(4-VPy), Rh₆(CO)₁₄(μ,η²-PPh₂CH₂CH=CH₂) and (μ-H)Os₃(μ-OCNM₂)(CO)₉PPH₂CH₂CH=CH₂ have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, as well as by IR-, ¹H NMR spectroscopies. The Rh - Rh bond lengths are within 2.72÷2.80 Å. The copolymerization of cluster-containing monomers synthesized with traditional monomers has been studied. It was found that Rh₆- and Os₃-containing monomers did not change either the ligand surroundings or the structure of cluster monomer framework during polymerization reaction.     

Catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation with the cluster Rh6(CO)10[(-)DIOP]3

Rh₆(CO)₁₀[(-)DIOP]₃ has been isolated after ligand exchange between Rh₆(CO)₁₆ and DIOP. The molecular cluster is an efficient catalyst for asymmetric reduction of various prochiral olefins; optical yields up to 47% have been achieved; the results are compared with those obtained with mononuclear rhodium (I) complexes.