Rhodium(I), rhodium(III), palladium(II), and platinum(II) complexes containing ligands of the type PRnQ3–n(n= 0,1, or 2; R = Me, Et, But, or Ph; Q = CH2OCOMe or CH2OH)

Abstract

We report the characterisation of the phosphines PR_nQ_3–n(n= 0,1, or 2; R = Me, Et, Bu^t, Or Ph; Q = CH₂OCOMe or CH₂OH) and of their complexes with halides of Pt^II, Pd^II, Rh^I, and Rh^III. The methylene protons of the acetoxymethyl- and hydroxymethyl-groups show no ³¹P–¹H coupling in the complexes, and this is attributed to |²J(PH)+⁴J(PH)| being accidentally nearly zero. Although the phosphines render the complexes more soluble in hydroxylic solvents than complexes of more conventional phosphines, and complexes derived from phosphines containing two or more hydroxymethyl groups are water soluble, the new complexes were not found to possess exceptional or unusual catalytic properties for the hydrogenation or isomerisation of olefins.