Rhodium: Organometallic Chemistry

Abstract

A review of the major advances in the organometallic chemistry of rhodium covering the period 1993–2003 is presented. Highlighted are complexes containing N‐donor ligands such as triazacyclononanes and tris‐(pyrazolyl)borates, those containing vinylidene and allenylidene ligands, and the formation of metallamacrocyclic complexes. Also featured are results of detailed computational studies on the activation of CH bonds and the course of olefin hydroformylation and hydrogenation processes. Classes of organorhodium compounds covered include alkyl, aryl, vinylidene, allenylidene, alkynyl, and carbene complexes. Also reviewed are alkene, alkyne, isocyanide, and arene complexes, as well as carbonyl cluster compounds together with significant coverage of dinuclear complexes stabilized by bis(diphenylphosphino)methane ligands.