A Mechanistic Description of Unexpected Room Temperature C-H and P-C Bond Activation by Wilkinsonʹs Catalyst

The Wilkinsonʹs catalyst, (PPh3)3RhCl dissolved in benzene under nitrogen or under high vacuum undergoes a series of unreported reactions at room temperature. The preliminary mechanistic description involves a series of consecutive intramolecular and intermolecular phosphine exchanges, benzene oxidative addition, and biphenyl reductive elimination.