REVERSIBLE ELECTROPHILIC RH-C BOND-CLEAVAGE IN METALATED DIRHODIUM(II) COMPOUNDS BY CARBOXYLIC-ACIDS - CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF A NEW VARIETY OF RHODIUM(II) COMPLEX

Treatment of [Rh2(O2CCH3)3{(C6H4)P(2-ClC6H4)Ph)(HO2CC-H3)2], 2, with t rifluoroacetic acid at room temperature affords -O2CCF3)3(eta1-O2CCF3) {eta2-P(2-ClC6H4)Ph2}(H2O)], 1. An X-ray study of 1 shows a Rh2(4+) un it bridged by three trifluoracetates; one monodentate trifluoroacetate , one P(2-ClC6H)4Ph2, acting as a (P, Cl) donor and one molecule of H2 O complete the coordination sphere. Compound 1 in chloroform solution undergoes reversible metallation at room temperature.