Unexpected coordination of rhodium(I) complexes in poly(2,2ʹ-bipyridine) films

Coordination of [RhI(ED)Cl]2 and [RhI(Chel)(ED)]+ complexes (ED=1,5-hexadiene; Chel=2,2ʹ-bipyridine and 4,4ʹ-dimethyl-2,2ʹ-bipyridine) in poly(pyrrole-2,2ʹ-bipyridine) films has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry in CH3CN electrolyte, and by FT-IR. In any case, the formation of stable poly[Rh(Chel)(ED)]+ films contrasts to that observed in the presence of an excess of Chel in acetonitrile, where the reaction of rhodium(I) complexes containing the labile ED ligand leads to [Rh(Chel)2]+ species.