Control of η2-arene coordination and C–H bond activation by cyclopentadienyl complexes of rhodium
Abstract
The selectivity for C–H bond activation vs.η2-coordination of arenes with [(η5-C5R5)Rh(PMe3)] fragments (R = Me, H) is subject to control by the thermodynamic stability of the resulting η2-arene complex; the preference for η2-coordination increases in order of arene: benzene < 1,4-C6H4(CF3)2 < naphthalene, and in order of ancillary ligand: C5Me5 < C5H5.