Synthesis and structure of a silyl–rhodium(I) complex: stabilization attributable to multisite ‘anchoring’ of a silyl fragment

Abstract

Reaction of SiH(CH₂CH₂PPh₂)₃(Htripsi) with [Rh(cyclo-octa-1,5-diene)Cl]₂ affords [Rh(tripsi)H(Cl)](6) which on treatment with hydride then CO yields [Rh(tripsi)CO](4), a five-co-ordinate Rh^I complex characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction; silyl ‘cage’ co-ordination of Rh by tripsi is defined by Rh–Si at 2.379(5)Å and equatorial P attachment with the Rh atom 0.375 Å away from the P₃ plane (i.e. Si–Rh–P ≈ 80°).