The addition of RCH2Cl to the complex [{Rh(μ-Pz)(CNBut)2}2] (Pz = pyrazolate, 1) occurs
under mild conditions to yield the bis(alkyl)rhodium(III) complexes [{Rh(μ-Pz)(η1-CH2R)(CNBut)2}2(μ-Cl)]Cl (R = Ph, CHCH2, CO2Me, COMe). These reactions proceed through
two separate steps, as evidenced by the observation of the intermediate mixed-valence
complex [(CNBut)2RhI(μ-Pz)2RhIII(η1-CH2Ph)(Cl)(CNBut)2] resulting from the trans-addition
of PhCH2Cl at a single metal center in 1. Similar Rh(I)−Rh(III) complexes [(cod)Rh(μ-Pz)2Rh(η1-CH2R)(Cl)(CNBut)2] (R = Ph (7), CHCH2, CO2Me) result from the addition of RCH2Cl
to the mixed-ligand complex [(cod)Rh(μ-Pz)2Rh(CNBut)2] (6). These exist in benzene and
toluene as two interconverting conformers, differentiated by the location of the RCH2 group
either between the two metals in the pocket of the complexes (endo conformer) or at the
trans position (exo conformer). An intramolecular boat-to-boat inversion accounts for this
exchange. The thermodynamic parameters for complex 7 were ΔH
⧧ = 16.2 kcal·mol-1, ΔS
⧧
= 4.9 eu, and ΔG
293
⧧ = 14.9 kcal·mol-1. Primary alkyl bromides RCH2Br react with 1 and
with 6 to give the Rh(III) complexes [{Rh(μ-Pz)(η1-CH2R)(CNBut)2}2(μ-Br)]Br (R = Ph, CO2Me) and the mixed-valence complex [(cod)Rh(μ-Pz)2Rh(η1-CH2Ph)(Br)(CNBut)2]. However,
the secondary alkyl bromide PhCH(Me)Br reacts with 1 and with 6 to give the dirhodium(II) complexes [{Rh(μ-Pz)(Br)(CNBut)2}2] and [(cod)(Br)Rh(μ-Pz)2Rh(Br)(CNBut)2], respectively, along with 2,3-diphenylbutane and traces of styrene and ethylbenzene, suggesting
free-radical pathways for these reactions. The thermal decomposition of the bis(alkyl)chloro
complexes gives free isobutene and the cyanide complexes [(CNBut)2(η1-CH2R)Rh(μ-Pz)2(μ-Cl)Rh(η1-CH2R)(CN)(CNBut)] (R = Ph, COMe, CO2Me). Decomposition of the bis(alkyl)bromo
derivatives occurs under sunlight irradiation and anaerobic conditions to give bibenzyl, cis-
and trans-stilbene, and toluene.