[RhCl(COD)]
2 (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) reacts with
o-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde (PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CHO)) (Rh/P = 1:1) in the presence of pyridine to give an acyl hydrido species, [RhHCl(PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CO))(py)
2] (
1). In chlorinated solvents exchange of hydride by chloride gives [RhCl
2(PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CO))(py)
2] (
2). The reactions of
1 with PPh
3 and of
2 with biacetyl dihydrazone (bdh) gives thepyridine substitution products [RhHCl(PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CO))(PPh
3)(py)] (
4) and [RhCl
2(PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CO))(bdh)] (
3), respectively. By using a 1:2 ratio of Rh to PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CHO) [RhHCl(PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CO))(
1-PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CHO))(py)] (
5) with trans phosphorus atoms is formed. The aldehyde group may undergotwo different reactions. In benzene
5 affords the acyl hydroxyalkyl species [RhCl(PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CO))(PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CHOH))(py)] (
6) with cis phosphorus atoms, via a pyridine dissociation path.
6 undergoesdehydrogenation, with H
2 evolution, to afford the diacyl derivative [RhCl(PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CO))
2(py)] (
8),which shows fluxional behavior in solution, with the values
H = 8.8 ± 0.4 kcal mol
-1 and
S =-16.7 ± 1 eu. Opening of the acylphosphine chelate appears to be responsible for the fluxionality. Inmethanol
5 undergoes displacement of chloride by the aldehyde to afford the cationic acyl hydrido aldehyde[RhH(PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CO))(
2-PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CHO))(py)]
+ (
10), which can be isolated if precipitated immediately with an appropriate counterion. Longer reaction periods of
5 in methanol solution lead to amixture of the diacyl
8 and the cationic acyl hydrido
alcohol [RhH(PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CO))(
2-PPh
2(
o-C
6H
4CH
2OH))(py)]
+ (
11). The spectroscopic characterization of some intermediates in this reaction evidencea bimolecular ionic mechanism as being responsible for the hydrogenation of the aldehyde with thehydroxyalkyl
6 being the source of both proton and hydride. Complex
11 can also be obtained by thereaction of
5 with NaBH
4 in methanol solution.