Synthesis, structure, and solution dynamics of indenyl rhodium complexes containing bulky phosphine ligands: molecular structures of (η5-1-CH3-C9H6)Rh(η2-C2H4)(PCy3) (Cy = cyclohexyl) and (η5-1-CH3-C9H6)Rh(dcpe) (dcpe = Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)
Reactions of (η5-1-CH3-C9H6)Rh(η2-C2H4)2 with PCy3 (Cy = cyclohexyl) and 1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphos - phino)ethane (dcpe = Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2) gave complexes (η5-1-CH3-C9H6)Rh(η2-C2H4)(PCy3) (1) and (η5-1-CH3-C9H6)Rh(dcpe) (2), respectively, in high yields. Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by x-ray diffraction studies and by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Variable temperature 31P{1H} NMR spectra allowed for evaluation of energy barriers associated with indenyl ring rotation. While 1 and 2 displayed similar degrees of slip-fold distortion with respect to bonding of the indenyl ligand to the RhL2 fragment, a lower energy barrier to ring rotation was calculated for the mixed ethylene-phosphine complex 1. Yellow crystals of 1 are orthorhombic, Pbca with 16 molecules per unit cell of dimensions a = 11.341(3), b = 32.915(10), and c = 29.413(9) Å. Yellow crystals of 2 are triclinic, P1 with two molecules per unit cell dimensions a = 9.327(3), b = 10.117(3), c = 18.934(6) Å, α = 104.28(2)°, β = 101.34(2)°, and γ = 92.99(2)°.Key words: indenyl, rhodium, phosphines, ring-slippage.