Carbene complexes. Part V. Imidoyl chlorides as synthetic reagents, and the preparation of rhodium(III) carbene complexes from rhodium(I) precursors

Abstract

A new transition-metal carbene synthesis is described. Thus, rhodium(III) complexes [Cl₃(L)Rh–C(R¹)NHR²][R¹= Ph with R²= Me, Et, or Prⁱ; or R¹= Me and R²= C₆H₄·Me-o; L =(tertiary phosphine)₂, (tertiary phosphine)(CO), or CO] are prepared by the reaction of an imidoyl chloride with a rhodium(I) substrate in the presence of hydrogen chloride. Mechanisms are discussed.