AN INVESTIGATION OF THE REACTIVITY OF [RH2CP-ASTERISK-2(MU-CO)2] (CP-ASTERISK=ETA-5-C5ME5) TOWARDS TRIORGANOSILANES - ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF [RHCP-ASTERISK(CO)(H)(SIPH3)] AND SOME RELATED-COMPOUNDS

The reactions of the unsaturated Rh=Rh complex [Rh2Cp2(mu-CO)2] with triorganosilanes (Ph3SiH, Et3SiH, Me2PhSiH) have been investigated. Wi th Ph3SiH at benzene reflux, the unstable rhodium(III) species [RhCp( CO)(H)(SiPh3)] is formed in high yield by symmetric cleavage of the rh odium dimer. With Et3SiH and Me2PhSiH at toluene reflux, the stable rh odium(V) species [RhCp(H)2(SiR3)2] are formed in addition to the unst able rhodium(III) [RhCp(CO)(H)(SiR3)] complexes; longer reaction time s favour formation of the rhodium(V) products. These triorganosilyl hy dride complexes have been characterized by IR and NMR (H-1, Si-29) spe ctroscopy.