“Pincer” N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Rhodium Functionalised with Pyridyl and Bipyridyl Donors

Abstract

Abstract The “pincer”‐type carbene complexes Rh(C–N–C)Cl and Rh(C–N–N)Cl [C–N–C = 3,3′‐diaryl‐1,1′‐pyridine‐2,6‐diylbis(imidazol‐2‐ylidene), C–N–N = 1‐aryl‐3‐(2,2′‐bipyridin‐6‐yl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene] have been prepared and characterised by spectroscopic and diffraction methods. They bind CO to give cationic complexes but are inert to H 2 . Both oxidatively add CH 2 Cl 2 to give octahedral Rh III complexes. Theoretical calculations provide insight into the bonding of the Rh(C–N–C)Cl and Rh(C–N–N)Cl complexes. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)