Synthesis and characterisation of two novel Rh(I) carbene complexes: Crystal structure of [Rh(acac)(CO)(L1)]

The [Rh(acac)(CO)(L)] (acac = acetylacetonato; L1 = 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolinylidene and L2 = 1,3-bis-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolinylidene) complexes were prepared by the action of the parent carbene on [Rh(acac)(CO)2] in THF. The crystal structure characterisation of [Rh(acac)(CO)(L1)] revealed a slightly distorted square planar geometry with the carbene ligand orientated almost perpendicular to the equatorial plane; an elongated trans Rh–O bond of 2.0806(18) Å reflecting the considerable trans-influence of the carbene ligand. By measuring the CO stretching frequencies in a range of [Rh(acac)(CO)(L)] complexes (L = CO, L1, L2, PPh3, PnBu3, P(O–2,4-tBu2–Ph)3) the following electron donating ability series was established: L1 ∼ L2 ∼ PnBu3 > PPh3 > P(O–2,4-tBu2–Ph)3 > CO; indicating the carbenes investigated in this study to have a similar electronic cis-influence as trialkyl phosphines. Both complexes do not display hydroformylation activity towards 1-hexene in the absence of added phosphine or phosphite ligands under the conditions investigated (P = 60; T = 85 °C). In the presence of a phosphine or phosphite ligand the resulting hydroformylation catalysis was identical to that observed for [Rh(acac)(CO)2] and the corresponding ligand and subsequent high-pressure 31P NMR studies confirmed substitution of the carbene ligand under these conditions.