Cationic (Azulene)(diene)rhodium(I) Complexes: Spectroscopic,Dynamic, and Catalytic Properties

New Rh^I(η⁵‐azulene)(η⁴‐diene)]BF₄] complex salts 3 – 5 (diene=8,9,10‐trinorborna‐2,5‐diene (nbd) and (1Z,5Z)‐cycloocta‐1,5‐diene (cod)) were synthesized according to a known procedure (Scheme 1). All of these complexes show dynamic behavior of the diene ligand at room temperature. In the case of the Rh^I(η⁵‐azulene)(cod)]⁺ complex salts 3 and Rh^I(η⁵‐guaiazulene)(nbd)]⁺ complex salt 4a (guaiazulene=7‐isopropyl‐1,4‐dimethylazulene), the coalescence temperature of the ¹H‐NMR signals of the olefinic H‐atoms was determined. The free energy of activation (ΔG; Table 1) for the intramolecular movement of the diene ligands exhibits a distinct dependency on the HOMO/LUMO properties of the coordinated azulene ligand. The DFT (density‐functional theory) calculated ΔG values for the internal diene rotation are in good to excellent agreement with the observed ones in CD₂Cl₂ as solvent (Table 2). Moreover, the ΔG values can also be estimated in good approximation from the position of the longest‐wavelength, azulene‐centered UV/VIS absorption band of the complex salts (Table 2). These cationic Rh^I complexes are stable and air‐resistant and can be used, e.g., as precursor complexes in situ in the presence of (M)‐6,7‐bis(diphenylphosphino)methyl]‐8,12‐diphenylbenzoa]heptalene for asymmetric hydrogenation of (Z)‐α‐(acetamido)cinnamic acid with ee values of up to 68% (Table 4).