Activation of SF6 at a Xantphos-Type Rhodium Complex

Abstract

As a rather inert gas, sulfur hexafluoride is still used as a dielectric in high-voltage power applications despite its high global warming potential. Its activation at transition metal complexes has been reported, but the fate of the sulfur-containing products is often unknown. The activation of SF6 at [Rh(H){tBuxanPOP}] (tBuxanPOP = 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(ditert-butylphosphino)xanthene) at room temperature leads to the generation of the bifluorido complex [Rh(FHF){tBuxanPOP}]. A subsequent regeneration of [Rh(H){tBuxanPOP}] completes a cyclic process for the degradation of SF6. Furthermore, the SF6 activation at [Rh(H){tBuxanPOP}] in the presence of triethylsilane as a hydrogen source is described, which leads to the formation of the fluorido complex [Rh(F)2(H){tBuxanPOP}] as well as [Rh(SH){tBuxanPOP}] and S(SiEt3)2 as sulfur-containing products.