Reaction of [RhIr(CH3)(CO)3(dppm)2][CF3SO3] (1) (dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2) with several
phosphines and phosphites yields the carbonyl-substitution products [RhIr(CH3)(PR3)(CO)2(dppm)2][CF3SO3] (4), in which the added phosphine and the methyl ligands are coordinated
to Ir. At −80 °C an intermediate in this reaction, [RhIr(CH3)(PR3)(CO)3(dppm)2][CF3SO3]
(3), is observed in which the monodentate PR3 group is bound to Rh. Similar reactions with
the dicarbonyl compound [RhIr(CH3)(CO)2(dppm)2][CF3SO3] (2) suggests that attack occurs
directly at Ir in this case. The structure of 2 is subtly different in solution and in the solid
state, having the carbonyls both terminally bound (one to each metal) in solution, but having
one bridging in the solid. Addition of cyanide and hydride ligands to 2 yields the neutral
products [RhIr(CH3)X(CO)2(dppm)2] (X = CN, H), in which both anionic ligands (X and CH3)
are bound to Ir. The hydrido species is unstable, eliminating methane at ambient
temperature. Addition of iodide ion to 2 yields the related neutral species, which has the
methyl group on Rh and the iodide ligand on Ir. The X-ray structures of compounds 2 and
4a (PR3 = PMe3) are reported. Compound 2 has a terminal carbonyl on Rh, essentially
opposite the Rh−Ir bond, the methyl group in a similar position on Ir, and a semibridging
carbonyl, which is more tightly bound to Ir. The geometry of 4a has a square-planar Rh
center in which Ir occupies one of the coordination sites opposite a carbonyl, and an octahedral
Ir center in which the PMe3 group is opposite the Ir−Rh bond, and the methyl group is
opposite the second carbonyl. The crowding at Ir upon addition of the PMe3 group shows up
in a number of distortions within the molecule.