Two precatalysts for application in propargylic CH activation

The complexes {bis[(2‐diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl] ether‐κ²P,P′}(η⁴‐norbornadiene)rhodium(I) tetrafluoridoborate, [Rh(C₇H₈)(C₃₆H₂₈OP₂)]BF₄, and {bis[(2‐diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl] ether‐κ²P,P′}[η⁴‐(Z,Z)‐cycloocta‐1,5‐diene]rhodium(I) tetrafluoridoborate dichloromethane monosolvate, [Rh(C₈H₁₂)(C₃₆H₂₈OP₂)]BF₄·CH₂Cl₂, are applied as precatalysts in redox‐neutral atomic‐economic propargylic CH activation [Lumbroso et al. (2013). Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 52 , 1890–1932]. In addition, the catalytically inactive pentacoordinated 18‐electron complex {bis[(2‐diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl] ether‐κ²P,P′}chlorido(η⁴‐norbornadiene)rhodium(I), [RhCl(C₇H₈)(C₃₆H₂₈OP₂)], was synthesized, which can form in the presence of chloride in the reaction system.