Crystal and molecular structure of trichlorotris(diethylphenylphosphine)rhodium(III)

Abstract

The structure of the title compound has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray data, by Patterson and Fourier methods. Crystals are monoclinic, with unit-cell dimensions a= 10·558(2), b= 13·747(3), c= 24·581(3)Å, β= 112·45(3)˙, space group P2₁/c, and Z= 4. Least-squares refinement, by use of 3037 independent reflections measured on a diffractometer, has reached R 0·067.

The complex is monomeric and the metal atom has a somewhat distorted octahedral co-ordination, with two pairs of like ligands mutually trans. Rh–P distances are 2·325–2·415, and Rh–Cl, 2·362–2·429 Å.

The crystal used in the structure determination was doped with ca. 2% Os^III in order to relate the principal axes of the g-tensor found from e.s.r. studies with the directions of the metal–ligand bonds.