The Fluoro Analogue of Wilkinson's Catalyst and Unexpected Ph-Cl Activation

摘要

Chlorotris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium, [(Ph_3P)_3RhCl], often referred to as Wilkinson's catalyst, is one of the most versatile catalysts and a key compound in modern organometallic chemistry. The bromo and iodo analogues, [(Ph_3P)_3RhX] (X = Br, I), are also well-characterized complexes that have been known for almost 40 years.1 In contrast, the fluoride [(Ph_3P)_3RhF] (1) has been mentioned in the literature only twice, both times without characterization or systematic studies. Herein we report a simple and efficient synthesis of 1, its full characterization, and most unusual reactivity which might be of considerable interest to the new, promising, and rapidly growing area of late transition metal fluoride complexes.