Using solid-state
molecular organometallic (SMOM) techniques, in
particular solid/gas single-crystal to single-crystal reactivity,
a series of σ-alkane complexes of the general formula [Rh(Cy
2
PCH
2
CH
2
PCy
2
)(η
n
:η
m
-alkane)][BAr
F
4
] have been prepared (alkane = propane, 2-methylbutane,
hexane, 3-methylpentane; Ar
F
= 3,5-(CF
3
)
2
C
6
H
3
). These new complexes have been
characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction, solid-state
NMR spectroscopy and DFT computational techniques and present a variety
of Rh(I)···H–C binding motifs at the metal coordination
site: 1,2-η
2
:η
2
(2-methylbutane),
1,3-η
2
:η
2
(propane), 2,4-η
2
:η
2
(hexane), and 1,4-η
1
:η
2
(3-methylpentane). For the linear alkanes propane
and hexane, some additional Rh(I)···H–C interactions
with the geminal C–H bonds are also evident. The stability
of these complexes with respect to alkane loss in the solid state
varies with the identity of the alkane: from propane that decomposes
rapidly at 295 K to 2-methylbutane that is stable and instead undergoes
an acceptorless dehydrogenation to form a bound alkene complex. In
each case the alkane sits in a binding pocket defined by the {Rh(Cy
2
PCH
2
CH
2
PCy
2
)}
+
fragment and the surrounding array of [BAr
F
4
]
−
anions. For the propane complex, a small alkane
binding energy, driven in part by a lack of stabilizing short contacts
with the surrounding anions, correlates with the fleeting stability
of this species. 2-Methylbutane forms more short contacts within the
binding pocket, and as a result the complex is considerably more stable.
However, the complex of the larger 3-methylpentane ligand shows lower
stability. Empirically, there therefore appears to be an optimal fit
between the size and shape of the alkane and overall stability. Such
observations are related to guest/host interactions in solution supramolecular
chemistry and the holistic role of 1°, 2°, and 3° environments
in metalloenzymes.