Halide Abstraction by Na[B{C6H3(CF3)2‐3,5}4]: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of the Rhodium(I) Cations [(η6‐arene)Rh(PPh3)2]+ (Arene = benzene,toluene)

Halide abstraction from (Ph₃P)₂Rh(μ‐Cl)]₂ by the sodium salt of the weakly coordinating BAr^f₄]^? anion Ar^f = C₆H₃(CF₃)₂‐3,5] in the presence of excess arene offers a convenient, high‐yielding route to the half‐sandwich cations (arene)Rh(PPh₃)₂]⁺BAr^f₄]^? arene = benzene ( 1 ), toluene ( 2 )]. Crystalline samples of 1 and 2 are isomorphous a = 13.1270(2), b = 15.3030(2), c = 17.5760(3) Å, α = 74.620(1), β = 81.533(1), γ = 88.540(1)° for 1 ] and feature the arene ligand bound to the rhodium atom in η⁶ fashion.