Orthometallation reactions of tris(p-methoxyphenyl)phosphine with dirhodium(II) tetraacetate

Abstract Reactions of dirhodium(II)tetraacetate [Rh2(OAc)4] with tris(p-methoxyphenyl)phosphine (PMP) at 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios yield, first appropriate adducts: [Rh2(OAc)4P(p-CH3OC6H4)3] (1a) and [Rh2(OAc)4{P(p-CH3OC6H4)3}2] (2a), and then orthometallated [Rh2(OAc)3{μ-(p-CH3OC6H3)P(p-CH3OC6H4)2}(HOAc)2] (1) and [Rh2(OAc)2{μ-(p-CH3OC6H3)P(p-CH3OC6H4)2}2(HOAc)2] (2) complexes, respectively. They have been characterized by spectroscopic methods. The molecular structure of 1 has been determined by the X-ray methods. Crystal data: space group P1, a=11.085(5), b=11.387(5), c=13.900(6) A, α=97.29(3), β=105.23(3), γ=91.93(3)°. In this compound The Rh–Rh distance is 2.421(1), Rh–P bond length 2.1…