STRUCTURE OF [RH2(CO)2(MU-CL)((C6H5)2PCH2P(C6H5)2)2][BF4] - BINUCLEAR A-FRAME COMPLEX SHOWING THE OPEN ACTIVE-SITE

The structure of the complex [Rh2(CO)2(M-Cl)((C6H5)2PCH2P(C6H5)2)2] [BF4] has been determined by X-ray crystallography, verifying that it is an “A-frame” type species. The structural parameters are similar in most aspects to those of the closely related species [Rh2(CO)2(µ-S)((C6H5)2PCH2P(C6H5)2)2], with the significant difference that the “active” site, bridging the two metal centers, is more open to attack by small molecules in the present complex. The title complex crystallizes in the space group C11-P from an acetone solution containing as the only anions PF6” and B(C6H5)4-. Evidence suggests that the BF4- anion results from the leaching of boron from the glass by HF. The reduced unit cell has dimensions [formula omitted]On the basis of 5729 unique, observed reflections the structure was refined by full-matrix, least-squares techniques to agreement indices of R=0.046 and Rw=0.064. Some relevant metrical parameters are [formula omitted]. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.