Molekülsruktur und abs. konfiguration von (+)-p-menthadien-(1,8)-on-(2)-rhodium(I)-h5-cyclopentadienid, (+)-(4S-Carvon) RhI(C5H5)

The title compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with 4 molecules in the unit cell (cell dimensions: a 9.778(2), b 10.639(2) and c 12.423(4) Å). The structure was solved by means of the heavy atom method. The rhodium atom is linked to both olefinic double bonds. The terpene carbonyl group does not participate in coordination to rhodium. Unlike the endocyclic olefinic group, which is approximately perpendicular to the coordination plane of rhodium, the exocyclic Cz.sbnd;C double bound shows a considerable deviation from this arrangement. The π-complexation of carvone with rhodium proceeds diastereospecifically. The absolute configuration of (+)-carvone is 4S in agreement with the assignment derived by indirect chemical correlation.