ACTIVATION OF DICHLOROMETHANE BY (PHOSPHANE)(N)RHODIUM(I) COMPLEXES -X-RAY STRUCTURE OF [((PET3)(2)RHCL)(2)(MU-CL)(2)(MU-CH2)]

Dichloromethane reacts with dinuclear rhodium complexes [{(PR3)(2)Rh}( 2)(mu-Cl)(2)] to give the bridging-methylene complexes [{(PR3)(2)RhCl} (2) (mu-Cl)(2) (mu-CH2)] (PR3 = PEt3, PPh2Me). The structure of the PE t3 complex has been established by X-ray diffraction study. The early stages of the reaction of [{(C8H14)(2)Rh}(2)(mu-Cl)(2)] with monophosp hanes have been monitored by P-31 NMR, evidencing chloride bridges cle avage and phosphane redistribution processes.