Organorhodium complexes of the general formula (DPPE)Rh(pyridine)(R) (R ) p-tol (2a) and CH 2 SiMe 3 (2b), DPPE ) 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) were prepared from [(DPPE)-Rh(µ-Cl)] 2 , pyridine, and p-tolyllithium or Me 3 SiCH 2 MgCl. Complex 2a inserted the electronpoor aldimines (p-tol)CHdN(C 6 H 4 -p-CO 2 Me) (3a-Tol) and (Ph)CHdN(C 6 H 4 -p-CO 2 Me) (3a-Ph) to give amide complexes that were isolated directly or trapped with PEt 3 . In contrast, the reaction of aryl complex 2a with the electron-neutral and electron-rich imines PhCHd NPh (3b) and (p-tol)CHdN(C 6 H 4 -p-OMe) (3c) did not form stable amide products. Instead, the amide from insertion of imines 3b or 3c underwent β-hydrogen elimination, followed by metalation of the resulting ketimine. The reaction of 2a with 3a-Ph was first order in arylrhodium complex and inverse first order in the concentration of pyridine. Aldehydes that cannot enolize, such as PhCHO and Me 3 CCHO, inserted into the Rh-aryl bond of 2a to form ketones and esters. The esters were formed from insertion of a second aldehyde into the Rh-O bond of an intermediate alkoxide, followed by β-hydride elimination. Complex 2a underwent proton transfer with acetophenone to give π-oxaallyl complex 24 and with water to generate toluene and the dimeric hydroxide [(DPPE)Rh(µ-OH)] 2 (36). It also reacted with the tert-butyl-substituted ynone 25 to form a product that contained a metalated isobutyl group. Quenching the reaction between aryl complexes 2a and 3a-Ph with H 2 O instead of PEt 3 also formed hydroxide 36 and the diarylmethylamine (Ph)(p-tol)CH-NH(C 6 H 4 -p-CO 2 -Me) (35).