REACTIONS OF RHODIUM AND IRIDIUM SALTS WITH MULTIDENTATE N-HETEROCYCLES

Complexes of rhodium and iridium of the types MX(3)L, MX(CO)(2)L and M X(3)(CO)L (X = halide) containing multidentate N-heterocycles (L),2,6- bis(benzimidazolyl)pyridine (bBzlH(2)py) and 2,6-bis(N-methylbenzimida zolyl)pyridine (bBzlMe(2)py) have been prepared and characterized by I R, electronic and H-1 and C-13 NMR spectral data. RhX(CO)(2)L, on trea tment with alcoholic solvents or DMF undergoes reversible decarbonylat ion to produce RhXL . 2H(2)O. Passage of NO or O-2 through the carbony l suspended in hot 2-methoxyethanol releases CO2. Copyright (C) 1997 E lsevier Science Ltd.