Redox Chemistry of Bis(oxazolinyl)cyclopentadienyl and -fluorenyl Rhodium and Iridium Organometallic Compounds

Rhodium(I) Complexes with a η1-Fluorenyl-P-phosphanylphosphorane Ligand

The first example of a P-phosphanylphosphorane, Flu═PCy2-PCy2 (L2; Flu = 9-fluorenyl), has been easily prepared by P-phosphination of lithiated 9-dicyclohexylphosphinofluorene (FluPCy2, L0) with chlorodicyclohexylphosphane. L2 constitutes a new type of P(III)-P(V) organophosphorus compound, a σ3λ3-σ4λ5 species that is stable under an inert atmosphere in the solid state. The reaction of L2 with [Rh(diene)2]BR4 causes metalation of the benzylic carbon (C9) of fluorene, giving κ2-C,P complexes in which fluorene is coordinated in the η1 form. A complex with the weakly coordinating BArF anion has been isolated and fully characterized, including its crystal structure obtained by X-ray diffraction.