Influence of intramolecular substitution reaction of square planar carbonyl rhodium (I) cationic complex on its stability

Two cis-dicarbonyl rhodium complexes containing uncoordinated donors have b een synthesized, and their IR and XPS data and the influence of their intra molecular substitution reaction on their stabilities have been reported. Th e intramolecular substitution reaction is reversible. Under the condition o f heating and without the protection of CO, the uncoordinated donors substi tute the terminal carbonyls on the rhodium to form tetradentated complex. S o the rhodium complex will not decompose for the drop of the terminal carbo nyls and its stability is enhanced. In atmosphere of CO, it recovers to bid entate complex.