New Rh(III) complexes of 5‐methyl‐5‐(pyridyl)‐2,4‐imidazolidenedione: Synthesis,X‐ray structure,electrochemical study and catalytic behaviour for hydrogenation of ketones

We describe the reaction of anion RhCl₆]^3? with a series of hydantoin ligands (HL1, HL2 and HL3 = 5‐methyl‐5‐(2‐, 3‐ and 4‐pyridyl)‐2,4‐imidazolidenedione, respectively). Based on spectroscopic, cyclic voltammetric, elemental and MS analyses, the complexes have the general formula KRhCl₂(L1)₂] ( 1 ), cis ‐ and trans ‐KRhCl₄(HL2)₂] ( 2a and 2b ) and cis ‐ and trans ‐KRhCl₄(HL3)₂] ( 3a and 3b ). Complexes 2a , 2b , 3a and 3b were characterized successfully using infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectral analyses. Dissolution of complex 1 in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) led to elimination of one KL1 ligand and coordination of two DMSO molecules as ligands and transformation of this complex to cis ‐ and trans ‐RhCl₂L1(DMSO)₂] ( 1a and 1b ). Recrystallization led to separation and isolation of crystals of 1a from the initial mixture. X‐ray analysis results showed that this complex was crystallized as solvated complex cis ‐RhCl₂L1(DMSO)₂]DMSO. The catalytic activity of these complexes was then evaluated for the hydrogenation of various ketones.