Synthesis and characterisation of rhodium(III) complexes containing nitrogen heterocyclic ligands

Abstract

The synthesis and characterisation of complexes of the type trans-[RhL4X2]Y (L = 3 or 4-substituted pyridine, 3,5-disubstituted pyridine, isoquinoline, pyrimidine, pyrazole, thiazole, X = Cl, Br and for L = py I; Y = univalent anion) are described. Using the same catalytic method, N-methylimidazole and ammonia give complexes of the type [RhL5X]2+(X = Cl or Br), whereas 5-chloro- and 5-nitro-N-methylimidazole give complexes of the type trans-[RhL5X2]2+. All the complexes of the type trans-[RhL4X2]+ and also [RhL5Cl]2+(L =N-methylimidazole) undergo catalytic substitutions, and the nature of the products is discussed.