Synthesis and structure of the coordinatively unsaturated σ-aryl rhodium(III) complex Rh(C 6H 5)Cl 2(PPh 3) 2

Abstract

The reaction between RhHCl 2(PPh 3) 3 and Hg(C 6H 5) 2 yields the five-coordinate, 16-electron rhodium(III) complex Rh(C 6H 5)Cl 2(PPh 3) 2. The molecular structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (triclinic, P 1 , a = 9.532(28), b = 9.523(24), c = 21.800(19) Å, α = 112.9(1), β = 85.9(1), γ = 94.0(1)°, Z = 2). Rh(C 6H 5)Cl 2(PPh 3) 2 exhibits square pyramidal geometry with close approach of two of the ortho hydrogen atoms of the triphenylphosphine ligands to the rhodium atom.