Bis[dirhodium(II)] complexes with a Rh4(µ-Cl)4 core: preparation and characterization‡
Abstract
The reaction of [Rh2(O2CPrn)4] or [Rh2(mhp)4] (Hmhp = 2-hydroxy-6-methylpyridine) with a trialkylchlorosilane followed by crystallization from a nitrile unexpectedly gave [Rh4(O2CPrn)4Cl4(CH3CN)4] 1 or an isomer of [Rh4(mhp)4Cl4(PhCN)2] both with a ‘twisted-cage’ Rh4(µ-Cl)4 core, which were studied by X-ray crystallography, cyclic voltammetry and UV/VIS spectroscopy; 1 catalyzed the hydrogenation of acrylic acid in water.