Zintl cluster supported low coordinate Rh(i) centers for catalytic H/D exchange between H2 and D2

Abstract

Ligand exchange reactions of [Rh(COD){η⁴-Ge₉(Hyp)₃}] with L-type nucleophiles such as PMe₃, PPh₃, IMe₄ (IMe₄ = 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene) or [W(Cp)₂H₂] result in the displacement of the COD ligand to afford clusters with coordinatively unsaturated trigonal pyramidal rhodium(I) centers [Rh(L){η³-Ge₉(Hyp)₃}]. These species can be readily protonated allowing access to cationic rhodium–hydride complexes, e.g. [RhH(PPh₃){η³-Ge₉(Hyp)₃}]⁺. These clusters act as catalysts in H/D exchange between H₂ and D₂ and alkene isomerisation, thereby illustrating that metal-functionalized Zintl clusters are active in both H–H and C–H bond activation processes. The mechanism of H/D exchange was probed using parahydrogen induced polarization experiments.