The parallel between phenyl-initiated C–C coupling reactions in dirhodium complexes and those catalysed by rhodium particles
Abstract
Decomposition of [{(C5Me5)Rh(µ-CH2)}2(Ph)(CO)]+(homogeneously, under CO) in solution gives PhCHCH2, PhMe and C6H6, while phenyl (from Phi) reacts with surface methylene (from CO + H2) heterogeneously over rhodium metal to give PhEt, PhMe and C6H6; it is proposed that the two reactions are also related mechanistically.