Transition metal complexes with bidentate ligands spanning trans-positions. IV. Preparation and properties of some rhodium and iridium complexes of 2,11-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)benzo [c]phenanthrene

The bidentate phosphine 2,11-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)benzo [c]phenanthrene ( 1 ) has been used to prepare the mononuclear, square planar complexes trans-[MX(CO)( 1 )] and trans-[M(CO)(CH₃CN)( 1 )][BF₄] (M = Rh, Ir; X = Cl, Br, I, NCS). It is found that the tendency of these complexes to form adducts with CO, O₂ and SO₂ is significantly lower than that of the corresponding Ph₃P complexes. The oxidative-addition reactions of complexes trans-[IrX (CO) ( 1 )] with hydrogen halides give the six-coordinate species [IrHX₂(CO) ( 1 )]. The complexes [IrH₂I (CO) ( 1 )] and [IrH₂L (CO) ( 1 )] [BF₄] (L = CO and CH₃CN) have been obtained from hydrogen and the corresponding substrates. The model compounds trans-[MCl (CO) (Ph₂PCH₂Ph)₂] (M = Rh, Ir), trans-[Ir (CO) (CH₃CN) (Ph₂PCH₂Ph)₂] [BF₄], [IrHCl₂(CO)(Ph₂PCH₂Ph)₂] and [IrH₂(CO)₂(Ph₂PCH₂Ph)₂] [BF₄] have been prepared and their special parameters are compared with those of the corresponding complexes of ligand 1 . The influence of the static requirements of this ligand on the chemistry of its rhodium and iridium complexes is discussed.