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.     

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.     

Rhodium carbonyl cluster chemistry. Synthesis and chemical characterization of the anion [Rh6(CO)14]4−

The anion [Rh₆(CO)₁₄]^4? has been isolated from the reaction of [Rh₆(CO)₁₆] with alkali hydroxides in aqueous solution. It shows high reactivity towards electrophiles and in redox condensations with other rhodium clusters; and is rapidly decomposed by carbon monoxide.     

Magnetic properties and EPR spectroscopy of molecular metal clusters

The magnetic properties of molecular metal cluster compounds resemble those of small metal particles in the metametallic size regime. Even-electron metal carbonyl clusters with 10 or more metal atoms are paramagnetic, because their frontier orbital separations of less than 1 eV lead to high-spin electronic configurations. The rhodium cluster [Rh₁₇S₂(CO)₃₂]^3? gives EPR below 200 K withg=2.04, the first example of this type of paramagnetism in an even-electron carbonyl cluster of this 4d metal. Its spectral parameters are compared with those of osmium carbonyl clusters and some significant differences highlighted. Attempts have also been made to generate radical cations from lower-nuclearity, diamagnetic molecular clusters such as Rh₆(CO)₁₆ by chemical oxidation in sulphuric acid. An EPR active species (g=2.09) believed to be [Rh₆(CO)₁₆]⁺ has been obtained.     

Oxygenation of aromatic hydrocarbons with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by rhodium carbonyl complexes

Hexanuclear rhodium carbonyl cluster, Rh₆(CO)₁₆, catalyzes benzene hydroxylation with hydrogen peroxide in acetonitrile solution. Phenol and (at lower concentration) quinone are formed with the maximum attained total yield and turnover number 17% and 683, respectively. Certain other rhodium carbonyl complexes, containing cyclopentadienyl ligands, Rh₂Cp₂(CO)₃ and Rh₃(CpMe)₃(CO)₃, are less efficient catalysts. Cyclopentadienyl derivatives of rhodium which do not contain the carbonyl ligands, Rh(CpMe₅)(CH₂?CH₂)₂, RhCp(cyclooctatetraene) and Rh₂Cp₂(cyclooctatetraene) turned out to be absolutely inactive in the benzene hydroxylation. Styrene is transformed into benzaldehyde and (at lower concentration) acetophenone and 1‐phenylethanol. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural spectroscopic and conformational studies of H2Ru2Rh2(CO)11(PPh3)

The structure of H₂Ru₂Rh₂(CO)₁₁(PPh₃) has been studied by X-ray crystallography and by NMR spectroscopy. The arrangement of the carbonyl and the hydride ligands is similar to that in H₂Ru₂Rh₂(CO)₁₂. The phosphine is equatorially coordinated to the same basal rhodium as the other edge-bridging hydride ligand. A position cis to the phosphine is sterically favourable for the bridging hydride.     

Reactions of metal carbonyl cluster complexes with multidentate phosphine ligands; reactions with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane

Reactions of Rh₆(CO)₁₆ with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) gave Rh₆(CO)₁₄(dppm), Rh₆(CO)₁₂(dppm)₂, or Rh₆(CO)₁₀(dppm)₃, depending upon the reaction conditions. Rh₄(CO)₁₀(dppm) may be obtained from the reaction of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ with dppm, but this derivative rapidly decomposes in solution to give Rh₄(CO)₈(dppm)₂, Rh₆(CO)₁₄(dppm), and Rh₆(CO)₁₂(dppm)₂. Ir₄(CO)₁₀(dppm) and Ir₄(CO)₈(dppm)₂ have also been prepared, and their structures are discussed on the basis of infrared and ³¹P NMR spectroscopic data.     

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) »).     

Elektronenstruktur von Rh4(CO)12, ein Modell für linear und brückenförmig gebundenes CO an Rhodiumkatalysatoren

Electronic Structure of Rh₄(CO)₁₂, a Model for Linear- and Bridge-bonded CO on Rhodium Catalysts The electronic structure of the Rh₄(CO)₁₂ cluster containing both linear- and bridgebonded CO groups has been studied by the EHMO method and compared with that of the Ir₄(CO)₁₂ cluster with only linear-bonded CO ligands. The charge distribution shows a distinctly higher π-back donation for the bridge-bonded CO groups. This result is compared with experimental data such as bond lengths, force constants of the C? O stretching frequencies and XPS data. It allows further an interpretation of results of CO hydrogenation on supported rhodium catalysts and on rhodium model complexes.     

Rhodium catalyzed deuteroformylation of styrene: (E)- and (Z)-β-deuterostyrene and β,β-dideuterostyrene formation via selective β-hydride elimination from the branched alkylrhodium intermediate

Deuteroformylation of styrene in the presence of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ as a catalytic precursor was carried out at 160 atm of CO and D₂ 1/1 at two temperatures (20 and 90°C) and for times yielding partial or complete conversion. Compounds recovered from the mixture produced by reaction and partial conversion at 90°C include unlabeled styrene, (E)- and (Z)-β-deuterostyrene, C₆H₅CHCHD, and β,β-dideuterostyrene, C₆H₅CHCD₂, whereas at room temperature the styrene does not take up deuterium. These results indicate that under hydroformylation conditions the branched alkylrhodium intermediate, which affords the branched aldehyde, in part dissociates into rhodium hydride and deuterated olefin. By contrast the linear alkyl intermediate does not dissociate under the same conditions, but instead yields almost completely the corresponding aldehyde.     

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.     

A dinuclear phosphite rhodium(I) complex obtained by syngas treatment of a Rh/hydroxy phosphonite olefin hydroformylation precatalyst

A hydroxy phosphonite was found to be unstable during the catalyst preformation routine applied towards a rhodium olefin hydroformylation catalyst. C—P bond cleavage occurred when the phosphonite was reacted with [(acac)Rh(1,5‐COD)] (acac is acetyl acetate and 1,5‐COD is cycloocta‐1,5‐diene) at 80 °C and 20 bar of CO/H₂. As a result, a nearly planar six‐membered ring structure consisting of two rhodium(I) cations and two bridging phosphorous acid diester anions was formed, namely bis[μ‐(4,8‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,10‐dimethoxydibenzo[d,f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin‐6‐yl)oxy]‐1:2κ²P:O;1:2κ²O:P‐bis{[6‐([1,1′‐biphenyl]‐2‐yloxy)‐4,8‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,10‐dimethoxydibenzo[d,f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepine‐κP]carbonylrhodium(I)} toluene tetrasolvate, [Rh₂(C₂₂H₂₈O₅P)₂(C₃₄H₃₇O₅P)₂(CO)₂]·4C₇H₈. Further coordination of phosphite and of carbonyl groups resulted in 16‐electron rhodium centres.     

A new rhodium complex with carbon dioxide

The complex (PH₃P)₃Rh₂(CO)₂(CO₂)₂·C₆H₆ was prepared by action of carbon dioxide on complexes of zerovalent rhodium.     

Catalytic hydrogenation of 1,3-trans-pentadiene over Rh4(CO)12 supported on γ-Al2O3

Rh₄(CO)₁₂ anchored on γ-Al₂O₃ (Rh₄(CO)₁₂/Al₂O₃) has been studied as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of 1,3-trans-pentadiene. Under mild conditions (1 atm H₂ and temperatures between 60°C and 80°C) hydrogenation occurs at only one of the double bonds of the diene, and analysis of the products shows that the terminal double bond is preferentially hydrogenated. Hydrogenation of the second double bond of the conjugated diene occurring only after all the 1,3-trans-pentadiene has been consumed. In this respect Rh₄(CO)₁₂/Al₂O₃ behaves like toluene solutions of Rh₄(CO)₁₂. Anchoring of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ on the solid support gives a catalyst which is less active but more stable than toluene solutions of Rh₄(CO)₁₂. The effects of CO and of triphenylphosphine on catalytic activity and on specificity of Rh₄(CO)₁₂/Al₂O₃ have also been investigated and both shown to cause a reduction of the rate of hydrogenation of 1,3-trans-pentadiene.     

Organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis of Rh and Rh-Co mixed metal carbonyl clusters

The reactions of hydrosilane and/or alkyne as well as isonitriles with rhodium and rhodium cobalt mixed metal carbonyl clusters, e.g., Rh₄(CO)₁₂ and Co₂Rh₂(CO)₁₂, are studied. Novel mixed metal complexes, e.g., CoRh(CO)₅ (HCCBu ⁿ ), (R₃Si)₂Rh(CO) _n Co(CO)₄, Rh(R–NC)₄Co(CO)₄, Co₂Rh₂(CO)₁₀(HCCR), and Co₂Rh₂(CO)₉(HCCBu ⁿ ), are synthesized and identified. The catalytic activities of these rhodium and rhodium-cobalt mixed metal complexes are examined in hydrosilyation, silylformylation, and novel silylcarbocyclization reactions. Possible mechanisms for these reactions are proposed and discussed.     

Diminished electron density in the Vaska‐type rhodium(I) complex trans‐[Rh(NCBH3)(CO)(PPh3)2]

Vaska‐type complexes, i.e. trans‐[RhX(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (X is a halogen or pseudohalogen), undergo a range of reactions and exhibit considerable catalytic activity. The electron density on the Rh^I atom in these complexes plays an important role in their reactivity. Many cyanotrihydridoborate (BH₃CN⁻) complexes of Group 6–8 transition metals have been synthesized and structurally characterized, an exception being the rhodium(I) complex. Carbonyl(cyanotrihydridoborato‐κN)bis(triphenylphosphine‐κP)rhodium(I), [Rh(NCBH₃)(CO)(C₁₈H₁₅P)₂], was prepared by the metathesis reaction of sodium cyanotrihydridoborate with trans‐[RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂], and was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy. The X‐ray diffraction data indicate that the cyanotrihydridoborate ligand coordinates to the Rh^I atom through the N atom in a trans position with respect to the carbonyl ligand; this was also confirmed by the IR and NMR data. The carbonyl stretching frequency ν(CO) and the carbonyl carbon ¹J_C–Rh and ¹J_C–P coupling constants of the C_ipso atoms of the triphenylphosphine groups reflect the diminished electron density on the central Rh^I atom compared to the parent trans‐[RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] complex.     

A synthetic route to heteronuclear clusters containing iridium and rhodium: X-ray crystal structures of [IrOs3(μ-H)2(μ-Cl)(CO)12] and [Ir2Rh2(μ-CO)(μ3-CO)2(CO)4(η-C5Me5)2]

The iridium and rhodium complexes [MCl(CO)₂(NH₂C₆H₄Me-4)] (M = Ir or Rh) react with [Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀] to give the tetranuclear clusters [MOs₃(μ-H)₂(μ-Cl)(CO)₁₂]; the iridium compound being structurally identified by X-ray diffraction. Similarly, [IrCl(CO)₂(NH₂C₆H₄Me-4)] and [Rh₂(μ-CO)₂(η-C₅Me₅)₂] afford the tetranuclear cluster [Ir₂Rh₂(μ-CO)(μ₃-CO)₂(CO)₄(η-C₅Me₅)₂], also characterised by single-crystal X-ray crystallog     

[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.     

Radiolytic synthesis of Rh2(CO)4Cl2 and Rh6(CO)16 from RhCl3 in ethanol under CO atmosphere

Ethanolic solutions of Rh^III chloride exposed to γ-radiation under CO atmosphere are shown to be totally reduced into Rh^I complexes (Rh₂(CO)₄Cl₂ and Rh(CO)₂Cl^-₂) within a few hours with a radiolytic reduction yield of about 6.0 elementary reductions/100 eV (6.2·10^-7 mol·J^-1). The chloride ions freed in the medium inhibit further reduction through Rh(CO)₂Cl^-₂ formation. On addition of copper metal under the same conditions, Rh^III is transformed into Rh₆(CO)₁₆ with a conversion yield 50%. This cluster is formed via Rh₂(CO)₄Cl₂ although Rh(CO)₂Cl^-₂ is also present under these conditions. Rh₆(CO)₁₆ cluster is also formed under radiolysis by direct reduction of Rh₂(CO)₄Cl₂, but metallic rhodium and other reduced products are obtained at the same time.     

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.