Generation of [Tp*Rh(ç4-1,3-COD)] (Tp* = hydridotris(3,5-dimethyl)pyrazolylborate, 1,3-COD = cyclooctadiene) and its potential in C-H bond activation

Photolysis of [Tp*Rh( h4-1,5-COD)] (Tp* = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, 1,5-COD = cyclooctadiene) in benzene at 400 nm gives a quantitative yield of the new compound [Tp*Rh( h4-1,3-COD)] . Selected photolysis of at 336 nm can be used to produce (a) hydrido-phenyl-phosphite [Tp*Rh(H)(C6H5)P(OMe)3], (b) hydrido-carbonyl [Tp*Rh(H)2(CO)], (c) chelate [Tp*Rh(C6H5)(CH2CH2COO ] when the photoreactions were made in the presence of P(OMe)3, CH3OH and -acrylate, respectively. These results are interpreted in terms of oxidative addition reactions by the reactive intermediates photogenerated in the Rh system .