Rhodium Complexes Research Articles

T-shaped 14 Electron Rhodium Complexes: Potential Active Species in C-H Activation.

Two T-shaped 14-electron rhodium complexes 2a and 2b, "framed" and thus stabilized by PNP pincer ligands have been synthesized. The bis(t-butyl)phosphine derived PNPtBu-rhodium 2a was isolated from pentane as the more stable cyclometalated Rh(III) hydrido complex and found to be in equilibrium with the T-shaped 14e-Rh(I) complex 2aT which itself could be directly crystallized upon change of the solvent. The cyclometallation is suppressed using an adamantyl substituted PNPAd ligand to give the analogous T-shaped Rh(I) species 2b, stabilized through an agostic interaction with one of the adamantyl C-Hs. Depending on the solvent, complex 2a reacted with ethylene either by π-coordination (4a) or C-H activation giving a hydrido-vinyl Rh(III) species 4b, both isomers being in equilibrium in solution. Complex 2b C-H was found to reversibly activate arenes to form the hydrido-aryl Rh(III) complexes.

T‐shaped 14 Electron Rhodium Complexes: Potential Active Species in C‐H Activation

Two T‐shaped 14‐electron rhodium complexes 2a and 2b, "framed" and thus stabilized by PNP pincer ligands have been synthesized. The bis(t‐butyl)phosphine derived PNPtBu‐rhodium 2a was isolated from pentane as the more stable cyclometalated Rh(III) hydrido complex and found to be in equilibrium with the T‐shaped 14e‐Rh(I) complex 2aT which itself could be directly crystallized upon change of the solvent. The cyclometallation is suppressed using an adamantyl substituted PNPAd ligand to give the analogous T‐shaped Rh(I) species 2b, stabilized through an agostic interaction with one of the adamantyl C‐Hs. Depending on the solvent, complex 2a reacted with ethylene either by π‐coordination (4a) or C‐H activation giving a hydrido‐vinyl Rh(III) species 4b, both isomers being in equilibrium in solution. Complex 2b C‐H was found to reversibly activate arenes to form the hydrido‐aryl Rh(III) complexes.

Cover Feature: Sequential H/D Exchanges Resulting from Rollover‐Cyclometallation during Photoirradiation of Rhodium(III) Complex in Methanol‐d4 (Chem. Eur. J. 63/2024)

Cover Feature: Sequential H/D Exchanges Resulting from Rollover‐Cyclometallation during Photoirradiation of Rhodium(III) Complex in Methanol‐d₄ (Chem. Eur. J. 63/2024)

Rhodium(II)‐Catalyzed Denitrogenative Transformations of N‐Sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐Triazoles

AbstractN‐Sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles are valuable precursors for the generation of α‐imino carbene intermediates in the presence of the metal catalysts, especially rhodium(II) complexes. Due to the presence of electrophilic carbene and nucleophilic nitrogen, these reactive intermediates can easily be incorporated into many annulations, cycloadditions, C−H or O/N/S−H bond insertions and functionalization reactions. A large number of pharmaceutically important nitrogen‐based building blocks can be constructed via this direct and atom‐economical carbene strategy. In this review, we have described the transformations of N‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles based on α‐imino rhodium(II) carbene intermediates.

Impact of the P‐Ligand Concentration on the Formation of Hydroformylation Catalysts: An in situ FTIR Spectroscopic Study

AbstractThe formation of hydrido rhodium(I) complexes of the type [HRh(CO)3L] and [HRh(CO)2L2] from [Rh(acac)(CO)2]/L (L: bulky monophosphite ligand) requires a ligand‐to‐rhodium ratio [L]/[Rh] > 10 to prevent the possible partial generation of [Rh6(CO)16] under typical hydroformylation conditions. Significant fractions of formed [Rh6(CO)16] at lower ratios of [L]/[Rh] can be reactivated towards the hydrido complexes after the addition of the monophosphite ligand in the presence of synthesis gas. It was also found that [Rh6(CO)16] can be transformed by treatment with an excess of monophosphite ligand under inert gas to form a mononuclear complex of the type [L`Rh(CO)L] with an ortho‐metallated ligand.

Corrigendum to “Catalytic effect of the in situ rhodium(III) complexes in surfactant medium on the auto-oxidation of 1,2-hydroxyphenylthiourea: A theoretical and experimental study for rhodium(III) sensing” [Results Chem. (2024) 101881

Corrigendum to “Catalytic effect of the in situ rhodium(III) complexes in surfactant medium on the auto-oxidation of 1,2-hydroxyphenylthiourea: A theoretical and experimental study for rhodium(III) sensing” [Results Chem. (2024) 101881

Computational Exploration of the Impact of Low‐Spin and High‐Spin Ground State on the Chelating Ability of Dimethylglyoxime Ligand on Dihalo Transition Metal: A QTAIM, EDA, and CDA Analysis

ABSTRACTWe have explored the chelation of dimethylglyoxime ligand to divalent (ndx: x = 6, 7, 8) transition metal (TM) cations in two media (gas phase and water) at the B3LYP//LANL2DZ/6–311+G (d,p) and B3LYP/def2‐TZVP level at lower multiplicity and higher multiplicity states. Majority of the 18 optimized halide (chloride and bromide) complexes prefer square planar configuration. The correlations discerned between the experimental structural data and their estimated counterparts demonstrate a good credibility for complexes at lower multiplicity state. The basis set superposition errors (BSSEs) estimated is very small which reflects the fact that the choice of different basis sets (B3LYP//LANL2DZ/6–311+G (d,p)) introduces a slight bias in the calculation of energies. The ADMP (atom‐centered density matrix propagation) simulations in water on chloride complexes indicate the irreversible nature of these M—N dissociation in trajectory simulation process. This fact explains our exclusive focus on the examination of the [glyoxime ligand]…[MX2] interactions. In addition, the solvation of (3d and 4d) transition metal chloride complexes causes a sensitive augmentation of the metal ion affinity (MIA) with an average of 0.29 and 0.24 kcal/mol. In both multiplicity states, the topological parameters have illustrated that the M—N and M—X bonds are typical metal–ligand in both media. The average ΔEorb/ΔEsteric ratio equal to 0.45 and 0.11 in gas phase and water, respectively, reveals the predominance of the contributions from non‐covalent bonding interactions (NCI) compared to those of covalent bonding. But, the maximal value equal to 6.760 is obtained for bromide rhodium complex in water. NBO analysis in both media highlights the fact that a more pronounced ionic character is observed for the majority of the chloride complexes at both spin multiplicity states because of their higher retained charges on the metal atom. For [dimethylglyoxime]…[MX2] interaction (X = Cl and Br), the charge decomposition analysis demonstrates that the lowest value of the d/b ratio is found for the chloride platinum complex at lower multiplicity state in water. This is a proof of its strong relativistic effects.

C^C^C]‐Type Pincer Carbene Complexes of Rhodium(III): Synthesis and Catalytic Applications

ABSTRACTNHC pincers (NHC = N‐heterocyclic carbene), which combine the structural benefits of both carbenes and pincer platforms, have shown diverse applications, spanning from fundamental organometallic chemistry to homogeneous catalysis. Although aryl‐bridged bis(NHCs) represent the earliest developed and most studied type of NHC pincers, such [C^C^C]‐platforms have been underutilized in the synthesis of rhodium complexes. In this study, we present several less explored organorhodium(III) complexes featuring [C^C^C]‐pincers. Their synthetic route via a convenient oxidative addition approach has been explored, and the obtained cyclorhodium(III) complexes show versatile coordination geometry (square pyramidal or octahedral). Additionally, these cyclorhodium(III) complexes exhibit very different regioselectivity in catalytic alkyne hydrosilylations compared to known Rh(III) NHC catalytic systems. Finally, a few mechanistic studies have also been conducted, and a plausible mechanism was proposed.

Electron Density and Molecular Orbital Analyses of the Nature of Bonding in the η3-CCH Agostic Rhodium Complexes Preceding the C-C and C-H Bond Cleavages.

In our recent work, we revisited C-H and C-C bond activation in rhodium (I) complexes of pincer ligands PCP, PCN, PCO, POCOP, and SCS. Our findings indicated that an η3-Csp2Csp3H agostic intermediate acts as a common precursor to both C-C and C-H bond activation in these systems. We explore the electronic structure and bonding nature of these precleavage complexes using electron density and molecular orbital analyses. Using NBO, IBO, and ESI-3D methods, the bonding in the η3-CCH agostic moiety is depicted by two three-center agostic bonds: Rh-Csp2-Csp3 and Rh-Csp3-H, with all three atoms datively bound to Rh(I). IBO analysis specifically highlights the involvement of three orbitals (CC→Rh and CH→Rh σ donation, plus Rh→CCH π backdonation) in both C-C and C-H bond cleavages. NCIPLOT and QTAIM analyses highlight anagostic (Rh-H) or β-agostic (Rh-Csp2-H) interactions and the absence of Rh-Csp3 interactions. QTAIM molecular graphs suggest bond path instability under dynamic conditions due to the nearness of line and ring critical points. Several low-frequency and low-force vibrational modes interconvert various bonding patterns, reinforcing the dynamic η3-CCH agostic nature. The kinetic preference for C-H bond breaking is attributed to the smaller reduced mass of C-H vibrations compared to C-C vibrations.

Nanosecond-Lived Excimer Observation in a Crystal of a Rhodium(I) Complex via Time-Resolved X-ray Laue Diffraction.

The rare observation of transient Rh···Rh excimer formation in a single crystal is reported. The estimated excited-state lifetime at 100 K is 2 ns, which makes it the shortest-lived small-molecule species caught experimentally using the laser-pump/X-ray-probe time-resolved Laue method. Upon excitation with 390 nm laser light, the intermolecular Rh···Rh distance decreases from 3.379(4) to 3.19(1) Å, and the metal-metal contact gains more bonding character. On the basis of the experimental results and theoretical modeling, the structural changes determined with 100 ps time resolution reflect principally the S0 → S1 electronic transition.

Catalytic effect of the in-situ rhodium(III) complexes in surfactant medium on the auto-oxidation of 1,2-hydroxyphenylthiourea: A theoretical and experimental study for rhodium(III) sensing

1,2-hydroxyphenylthiourea(HPTU) undergoes auto-oxidation to form an yellow colored dimer. The process of auto-oxidation is enhanced by the presence of trace quantities of transition metal ions and transition metal complexes that act as catalysts. In the current study, catalytic potential of rhodium(III) complexes on the auto-oxidation of 1,2-hydroxyphenylthiourea(HPTU) was studied theoretically using quantum mechanical calculations and experiments were carried out using photometry and fluorometry. DFT studies inferred that [Rh(Py)6]Cl3 showed a better catalytic activity in the dimerization of HPTU. Theoretical studies were subsequently validated through experiments using photometric methods and the range of detection was determined to be 6 ng/mL–100 ng/mL. The detection limit was observed to be 2 ng/mL. Analytical parameters such as pH, reagent concentration, metal ion concentration, appropriate activators and surfactants were established.

Developing a Rhodium(III) Complex to Reprogram the Tumor Immune and Metabolic Microenvironments: Overcoming Multidrug Resistance and Metastasis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

To effectively inhibit the growth and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and overcome its multidrug resistance (MDR), we designed and synthesized a series of rhodium (Rh, III) 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone complexes. Through studying their structure-activity relationships, we identified the Rh(III) complex (Rh4) with excellent cytotoxicity against multidrug-resistant lung cancer cells (A549/ADR cells). Additionally, we successfully constructed an apoferritin (AFt) nanoparticle (NP) delivery system (AFt-Rh4 NPs). Importantly, AFt-Rh4 NPs not only exhibited excellent antitumor and antimetastatic capabilities against multidrug-resistant NSCLC in vivo but also demonstrated enhanced targeting ability and reduced systemic toxicity and adverse effects. Furthermore, we confirmed and elucidated the mechanisms by which Rh4/AFt-Rh4 NPs inhibit tumor metastasis and reverse MDR in NSCLC. This was achieved by reprogramming the immune and metabolic tumor microenvironments through induction of immunogenic cell death and inhibition of dual-energy metabolism.

Flash Communication: Rhodium Complexes of Acetamide-Derived PAlP Pincer.

The new alane/bis(phosphine) PAlP pincer-type ligands 2-Me and 2-Et have been prepared by protolysis reactions of N-(diisopropylphoshino)acetamide with Me3Al or Et3Al in a 2:1 ratio. Upon reaction with a "RhCl" source and pyridine, 2-Me gave rise to a (PAlP)RhMe(py) compound (4-Me), while 2-Et led to the analogous hydride complex (PAlP)RhH(py) (4-H), with a migration of the chloride from Rh to Al. 4-Me and 4-H possess the shortest Rh-Al bonds to date.

Understanding the role of negative charge in the scaffold of an artificial enzyme for CO2 hydrogenation on catalysis.

We have approached the construction of an artificial enzyme by employing a robust protein scaffold, lactococcal multidrug resistance regulator, LmrR, providing a structured secondary and outer coordination spheres around a molecular rhodium complex, [RhI(PEt2NglyPEt2)2]-. Previously, we demonstrated a 2-3 fold increase in activity for one Rh-LmrR construct by introducing positive charge in the secondary coordination sphere. In this study, a series of variants was made through site-directed mutagenesis where the negative charge is located in the secondary sphere or outer coordination sphere, with additional variants made with increasingly negative charge in the outer coordination sphere while keeping a positive charge in the secondary sphere. Placing a negative charge in the secondary or outer coordination sphere demonstrates decreased activity by a factor of two compared to the wild-type Rh-LmrR. Interestingly, addition of positive charge in the secondary sphere, with the negatively charged outer coordination sphere restores activity. Vibrational and NMR spectroscopy suggest minimal changes to the electronic density at the rhodium center, regardless of inclusion of a negative or positive charge in the secondary sphere, suggesting another mechanism is impacting catalytic activity, explored in the discussion.

Recent Advances in Anticancer Research of Osmium and Rhodium Complexes

Abstract: Although platinum and ruthenium complexes have been clinically recognized to be the most efficient metal-based anticancer candidates, applied in a wide range of cancer cell lines, their serious toxic effects and drug resistance require the necessity for new metal antitumor complexes. There is excessive interest in the design of new Pt-group metal complexes, including osmium and rhodium, which have revealed great chemotherapeutic potential. They have demonstrated modes of action that differ from those of the most broadly-used in clinical practice platinum- and rutheniumbased compounds. Os and Rh complexes are equipotent to their platinum and ruthenium analogues. Many Os- and Rh-based complexes with strong antitumor activity and low toxic effects have been developed and recognized for their antineoplastic activity in the last few years. Some of them have exposed different action profiles from the conventional anticancer metal complexes. That is why they might serve as a possible alternative that deserves more investigation, though limited studies on their biological effects have been reported, which is in contrast with the classical isoelectronic Pt and Ru complex compounds. Studies of Os and Rh complexes are currently attracting scientific attention. Recent developments of this interesting class of novel chemotherapeutic agents have been reviewed.

Rhodium(III) Complex Noncanonically Potentiates Antitumor Immune Responses by Inhibiting Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling.

Metal-based chemoimmunotherapy has recently garnered significant attention for its capacity to stimulate tumor-specific immunity beyond direct cytotoxic effects. Such effects are usually caused by ICD via the activation of DAMP signals. However, metal complexes that can elicit antitumor immune responses other than ICD have not yet been described. Herein, we report that a rhodium complex (Rh-1) triggers potent antitumor immune responses by downregulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling with subsequent activation of T lymphocyte infiltration to the tumor site. The results of mechanistic experiments suggest that ROS accumulation following Rh-1 treatment is a critical trigger of a decrease in β-catenin and enhanced secretion of CCL4, a key mediator of T cell infiltration. Through these properties, Rh-1 exerts a synergistic effect in combination with PD-1 inhibitors against tumor growth in vivo. Taken together, our work describes a promising metal-based antitumor agent with a noncanonical mode of action to sensitize tumor tissues to ICB therapy.

Formation of Layered Liquid Crystal by Cooperation of Sidechain Array and Rigid Polyacetylene Mainchain

ABSTRACT An acetylene derivative monomer with a pyrimidine – type sidechain with three rings was synthesized by Steglich esterification. Polymerization of the acetylene derivative was then carried out with a rhodium complex. The acetylene monomer and mono-substituted polyacetylene derivative showed liquid crystals (LCs) because their tricyclic parts worked as a mesogenic core. The monomer as an acetylene derivative showed smectic with a tilted structure in the LC aggregation form. The mono-substituted polyacetylene bearing mesogen via short alkyl spacer showed lyotropic and thermotropic LCs of the smectic phase, although generally flexible long alkyl spacer from the main chain connected to sidechain mesogen is required for exhibiting liquid crystal in sidechain type polymer liquid crystals. In the present study, rigid mainchain aligns the sidechain mesogen array to form non-tilted LC. Properties of LCs were evaluated by various analytical techniques, including polarizing optical microscopy. Structural properties were evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet – visible absorption spectroscopy.

Enhancing Bioactivity of N,N,N-Chelating Rhodium(III) Complexes with Ionic Liquids: Toward Targeted Cancer Therapy.

This study investigates the potential of using ionic liquids as cosolvents to enhance the solubility and activity of poorly soluble rhodium(III) complexes, particularly those with diene, pyridine derivatives, and camphor-derived bis-pyrazolylpyridine ligands, in relation to 5'-GMP, CT-DNA, and HSA as well as their biological activity. Findings indicate that ionic liquids significantly increase the substitution activity of these complexes toward 5'-GMP while only marginally affecting DNA/HSA binding affinities with molecular docking, further confirming the experimental results. Lipophilicity assessments indicated good lipophilicity. Notably, cytotoxicity studies show that Rh2 is selectively effective against HeLa cancer cells, with IL1 and IL10 modulating the cytotoxic effects. Redox evaluations indicate that rhodium complexes induce oxidative stress in cancerous cells while maintaining redox balance in noncancerous cells. By elucidating the role of ionic liquids in modulating these effects, the study proposes a promising avenue for augmenting the efficacy and selectivity of cancer treatments, thus opening new horizons in cancer therapeutics.

Understanding Ligand Effects on Bielectronic Transitions: Chemo- and Electroreduction of Rhodium Bis(Diphosphine) Complexes to Low Oxidation States.

Rhodium complexes in the -I and 0 oxidation states are of great potential interest in catalytic applications. In contrast to their rhodium +I congeners, however, the structural and electronic parameters governing their access and stability are far less understood. Herein, we investigate the two-electron reduction of a parameterized series of bis(diphosphine) Rh complexes [Rh(dxpy)2]NTf2 (x=P-substituent, y=alkanediyl bridging P atoms). Through (electro)reductions from the RhI parents, Rh-I d10-complexes were obtained and characterized spectroscopically, including 103Rh NMR data. The reductive steps convolute with structural rearrangements from square planar to tetrahedral coordination. We found that the extent of these reorganisations defines whether the first E0(RhI/0) and second E0(Rh0/-I) reduction potentials are normally ordered, leading to monoelectronic stepwise transitions, or inverted, giving bielectronic events. Reductionist approaches based on Hammett parameters or the P-Rh-P bite angles provide only partial correlations with the redox potentials. However, we identified the C-O stretch of analogue diphosphine complexes as an expedient computational parameter that enables these correlations through both electronic and geometric features, even in a predictive manner. Gaining control over two-electron reduction behaviors through rationalized ligand effects has potential impact beyond Rh complexes, for molecular and enzymatic metal sites commonly exhibiting bielectronic transitions.

Sequential H/D Exchanges Resulting from Rollover-Cyclometallation during Photoirradiation of Rhodium(III) Complex in Methanol-d4.

We present the photoreaction of newly prepared bis(6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine)(oxalato)rhodium(III) ([Rh(N^N)2(ox)]+) in CD3OD. Photoirradiation of this complex causes the dissociation of ox, followed by the formation of the unprecedented Rh(III) complex with Rh-H and Rh-C s bonds, [Rh(N^N)(C^N)(H)(CD3OD)]+ (C^N = [6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine]-3-yl-κC3,κN1'). This hydride formation and cyclometallation spontaneously proceed owing to the conflict between the steric hindrance arising from the methyl groups of N^N and the driving force for the structural change due to [Rh(N^N)2]+ formation. Although [Rh(N^N)(C^N)(H)(CD3OD)]+ is initially converted to [Rh(N^N)2]+ by photoirradiation, it is immediately regenerated by the rollover cyclometallation of the [Rh(N^N)2]+ complex. [Rh(N^N)(C^N)(H)(CD3OD)]+ undergoes H/D exchange for the H atoms in the Rh-H bond and at the 3, 3'-positions of the N^N ligand during the photoirradiation. DFT calculations predict with reasonable certainty the spontaneous structural change of [Rh(N^N)2]+ to [Rh(N^N)(C^N)(H)(CD3OD)]+ and the subsequent photodriven Rh-C bond rupture leading to the formation of [Rh(N^N)2]+ accompanied by H/D exchange reactions.