title: A monometallic Rh(III) tetraphosphine complex: reductive activation of CH2Cl2 and selective meso to racemic tetraphosphine ligand isomerization.
abstract: The first Rh complex with an eta(4)-coordinated rac-et,ph-P4 ligand [et,ph-P4 = (Et2PCH2CH2)(Ph)PCH2P(Ph)(CH2CH2PEt2)] has been synthesized by reacting [Rh(nbd)2]BF4 with meso- or rac-et,ph-P4 in dichloromethane. The reaction occurs fairly rapidly at room temperature to form [rac-RhCl2(eta(4)-et,ph-P4)](+) in high yields, regardless of whether one starts with mixed or even pure meso-et,ph-P4 ligand. This unusual and highly selective metal assisted isomerization of the meso-et,ph-P4 ligand to its rac-et,ph-P4 disastereomer will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-1804, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Fronczek
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Billodeaux
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Stanley