Synthesis and characterization of rhodium(III) dichloro complexes with unsymmetrically bound salen-type ligands

We have synthesized a series of novel octahedral Rh(III) salen-type complex es when the salen ligand is unsymmetrically bound to the Rh(III) dichloride center. This mode of bonding left one intact phenol group coordination to the rhodium center and has never before been observed in salen - metal chem istry. These remarkably stable complexes possess unique coordination geomet ry and represent the first time that Rh(III) salen complexes have been succ essfully isolated from the direct combination of RhCl3. 3H(2)O and the sale n ligand in the absence of a nucleophilic base. The (salen)Rh(III) dichlori de complex can be converted to the analogous monochloride complex by reacti on with metal carbonate salts.