Synthesis and characterization of a rhodium(I) σ-alkane complex in the solid state.

Journal article

Transition metal-alkane complexes-termed σ-complexes because the alkane donates electron density to the metal from a σ-symmetry carbon-hydrogen (C-H) orbital-are key intermediates in catalytic C-H activation processes, yet these complexes remain tantalizingly elusive to characterization in the solid state by single-crystal x-ray diffraction techniques. Here, we report an approach to the synthesis and characterization of transition metal-alkane complexes in the solid state by a simple gas-solid reaction to produce an alkane σ-complex directly. This strategy enables the structural determination, by x-ray diffraction, of an alkane (norbornane) σ-bound to a d(8)-rhodium(I) metal center, in which the chelating alkane ligand is coordinated to the pseudosquare planar metal center through two σ-C-H bonds.

Authors: Pike, S; Thompson, A; Algarra, A; Apperley, D; Macgregor, SA

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.)
• Volume: 337
• Issue: 6102
• Pages: 1648-1651
• Publication date: 2012-09-01
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1225028
• EISSN: 1095-9203
• ISSN: 0036-8075
• Language: English