The reaction of [(cod)RhCl]
2 with Ph
3P=C=PPh
3 (
1) gave the bidentate Rh(I) carbene complex, (cod)Rh[
2-C{P(C
6H
4)Ph
2}{PPh
3}] (
2), in which one of the Ph groups in
1 underwent orthometalation to form the chelate. Displacement of cod by 2 equiv of PMe
3 transformed
2, via a second orthometalation event, into the Rh(III)
C,C,C pincer carbene complex, HRh(PMe
3)
2[
3-C{P(C
6H
4)Ph
2}
2] (
3). The reaction of [Me
2Pt(SMe
2)]
2 with
1 led directly to the analogous
C,C,C pincer carbene complex of Pt(II), (Me
2S)Pt[
3-C{P(C
6H
4)Ph
2}
2] (
4). DFT calculations on a model form of
3 suggest a net single
![](/images/gifchars/sigma.gif)
-bonding interaction between Rh and an sp
2-hybridized carbene center, with a HOMO that is predominantly carbene p
z in character.