Photochemical ligand rearrangement in dirhodium(II) compounds. Structure of Rh2(O2CCH3)2(η2-O2CCH3)[(C6H4)PPh2] (η2-PCCl)(PCClP-ClC6H4)Ph2

Abstract The photochemical reaction of the adducts Rh2(O2CCH3)3[(C6H4)P(o-ClC6H4)Ph]· (P(p-XC6H4)3) (X=H, Me, Cl), yield the compounds Rh2(O2CCH3)2(η2-O2CCH3)[(p-XC6H3)P (p-XC6H4)2](η2-PCCl), (PCCl=P(o-ClC6H4)Ph2) in a ligand rearrangement reaction that involves activation of CH and RhC bonds. The factors that favour this process are studied by carrying out photochemical reactions with different phosphines. The structures of Rh2(O2CCH3)2(η2-O2CCH3) [(C6H4)PPh2](η2-PCCl) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Mr=1321.1, orthorhombic, space group Pbcn, a=20.339(8), b=20.07(6), c=23.07(3) A , V=9413(3) A 3 , Z=8, D x =1.86 g cm −3 . Mo Kα radiation (graphite crystal monochromator, λ=0.071…