PREPARATION AND SPECTRAL STUDIES OF A SERIES OF RHODIUM(3)-ACETONITRILE COMPLEXES

A series of rhodium(III)-acetonitrile complexes of the general formula RhClm(CH3CN)33-m have been prepared and characterized by their visible, infrared (4000-70 cm-1), and proton nmr spectra. The preparation of the trans-RhCl4(CH3- CN)2- is reported for the first time. The configurations of the two geometrical isomers of the complex RhCl3(CH3CN)3 are elucidated on the basis of their proton nmr spectra. The visible and far-infrared spectra of these rhodium(III) acetonitrile complexes are quite similar to those exhibited by the analogous rhodium(III) pyridine complexes, thus indicating the considerable strength of acetonitrile as a ligand for second-row transition metals. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.