Reactivity studies of rhodium(III) porphyrins with methanol in alkaline media

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om801029k

Rh(ttp)Cl (la) (ttp = 5,10,15,20-tetrakistolylporphyrinato dianion) was found to react with methanol at a high temperature of 150 °C in the presence of inorganic bases to give a high yield of Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a), up to 87%. Rh(ttp)H (1d) is suggested to be th

Full text of DOI:10.1021/om801029k

Organometallics 2009, 28, 3981–3989 3981
DOI: 10.1021/om801029k
Reactivity Studies of Rhodium(III) Porphyrins with Methanol
in Alkaline Media
Hong Sang Fung, Yun Wai Chan, Chi Wai Cheung, Kwong Shing Choi, Siu Yin Lee,
Ying Ying Qian, and Kin Shing Chan*
Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong,
People’s Republic of China
Received October 27, 2008
Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (ttp = 5,10,15,20-tetrakistolylporphyrinato dianion) was found to react with
methanol at a high temperature of 150 °C in the presence of inorganic bases to give a high yield of
Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a), up to 87%. Rh(ttp)H (1d) is suggested to be the key intermediate for the carbon-
oxygen bond cleavage.
Introduction
we previously discovered that benzylic carbon hydrogen
bonds of toluenes were activated at 120 °C under basic
media.9
The efficient, catalytic, and selective conversion of
methane into methanol provides an attractive alternative
energy source to diminishing oil and gas resources.1 In the
catalysis, besides the efficient activation of the inert carbon-
hydrogen bond, one of the key difficulties is the selective
formation of methanol without formaldehyde and other
overoxidation products, posing stringent requirements on
the catalyst and reaction conditions.
However, the alkane oxidation product alcohol is usually
more reactive than alkane.10 Transition metal complexes are
well known to react with alcohols in both a stoichiometric
and catalytic manner. [Cp*IrCl2]2 and [Cp*RhCl2]2 were
found to oxidize benzyl alcohols in the presence of K2CO3
at room temperature in a catalytic manner.11 (Me4N)[Co-
(L)] nH2O (where L=o-phenylenebis(N0-methyloxamidate)
3
(Me2opba (n = 2)), o-phenylene(N0-methyloxamidate)oxa-
mate (Meopba (n=3)), and o-phenylenebis(oxamate) (opba
(n=4))) also catalyzed the oxidation of R-alkylbenzyl alco-
hols in the presence of oxygen and aldehyde at room tem-
perature.12 At an elevated temperature, rhodium trichloride
reacted with refluxing n-propanol to generate rhodium
hydride to catalyze the isomerization of N-allyl amides to
corresponding enamides.13 Saito et al. reported the forma-
tion of ketones and dihydrogen from the photolytic reaction
of cyclohexanol or isopropanol with rhodium porphyrin
chloride at refluxing conditions under irradiation using a
500 W xenon lamp (λ>360 nm) in the 1980s14 and with a trace
amount of rhodium alkyls as byproduct observed in alkaline
medium under similar conditions.15 Wayland et al. recently
reported the chemistry between rhodium(II) porphyrin
and methanol to form Rh(por)OCH3 and Rh(por)H.16
Transition metal complexes play important roles in cata-
lytic methane oxidation. In nature, methane monooxygen-
anse2 and cytochrome P4502,3 are known to catalyze
hydroxylation of alkanes. Artificially, Shilov et al. in the
1960s reported catalytic methane oxidation by [PtCl4]2- 4
.
In the 1990s, Periana et al. further modified the platinum
system to afford high yields of CH3OSO3H, but required
high concentrations of H2SO4 and a high temperature of
200 °C.5 As a biomimetic system, metalloporphyrins were
found to catalyze the hydroxylation of various organic
compounds.6 The first example was reported by Groves
et al. on the alkane hydroxylation by iron(III) por-
phyrin systems using iodosylbenzene as an oxygen source
at room temperature in the late 1970s.7 In the late transi-
tion metalloporphyrin system, RhII(por) was found to acti-
vate the carbon-hydrogen bond of methane under ambi-
ent conditions.8 Using more stable RhIII(por) complexes,
*Corresponding author. E-mail: ksc@cuhk.edu.hk.
(1) Olah, G. A. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2005, 44, 2636–2639.
(2) Shilov, A. E.; Shul’pin, G. B. Chem. Rev. 1997, 97, 2879–2932.
(3) Meunier, B.; de Visser, S. P.; Shaik, S. Chem. Rev. 2004, 104,
3947–3980.
(10) Stahl, S. S.; Labinger, J. A.; Bercaw, J. E. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed.
1998, 37, 2180–2192.
(11) (a) Fujita, K.; Furukawa, S.; Yamaguchi, R. J. Organomet.
Chem. 2002, 649, 289–292. (b) Fujita, K.; Tanino, N.; Yamaguchi, R.
Org. Lett. 2007, 9, 109–111.
(4) (a) Lersch, M.; Tilset, M. Chem. Rev. 2005, 6, 2471–2526. (b)
Jones, W. D. Inorg. Chem. 2005, 44, 4475–4484.
(5) Periana, R. A.; Taube, D. J.; Gamble, S.; Taube, H.; Satoh, T.;
Fujii, H. Science 1998, 280, 560–564.
(6) Meunier, B. Chem. Rev. 1992, 92, 1411–1458.
(7) Groves, J. T.; Nemo, T. E.; Myers, R. S. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1979,
101, 1032–1033.
(12) Fernandex, I.; Pedro, J. R.; Rosello, A. L.; Ruiz, R.; Castro, I.;
Ottenwaelder, X.; Journaux, Y. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2001, 1235–1247.
(13) Zacuto, M. J.; Xu, F. J. Org. Chem. 2007, 72, 6298–6300.
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Irie, R.; Li, X.; Saito, Y. J. Mol. Catal. 1984, 23, 17–22. (c) Irie, R.; Li, X.;
Saito, Y. J. Mol. Catal. 1984, 23, 23–27.
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99, 6019–6023. (b) Grodkowski, J.; Neta, P.; Abdallah, Y.; Hambright,
P. J. Phys. Chem. 1996, 100, 7066–7071.
(8) Sherry, A. E.; Wayland, B. B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1990, 112, 1259–
1261.
(9) Chan, K. S.; Chiu, P. F.; Choi, K. S. Organometallics 2007, 26,
1117–1119.
(16) Li, S.; Cui, W. H.; Wayland, B. B. Chem. Commun. 2007, 4024–
4025.
r
2009 American Chemical Society
Published on Web 06/18/2009
pubs.acs.org/Organometallics

3982 Organometallics, Vol. 28, No. 14, 2009
Fung et al.
We have been interested in the carbon-hydrogen bond
activation chemistry with rhodium porphyrins.9,17,20
Recently, we have observed the base-promoted benzylic
carbon-hydrogen bond activation by Rh(por)Cl (por =
porphyrinato dianion).9 We here define the reaction condi-
tions under which methanol can react with rhodium por-
phyrin complexes in H-CH2OH, H-OCH3, and CH3-OH
cleavage reactions to aid the further design of reaction
conditions and catalysts for catalytic methane oxidation.
Herein, we report that Rh(ttp)Cl reacts with methanol in the
presence of inorganic bases at a high temperature of 150 °C
to give Rh(ttp)CH3 as a result of both carbon-hydrogen and
carbon-oxygen cleavage.
Table 1. Base Effects on the Reaction of Rh(ttp)Cl with MeOH
entry
base
none
time/days
2a yield/%a
3 yield/%a
1
2
4
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
2
5
bpy
KOH
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
45
61
51
87
77
61
67
84
87
noneb
none
none
none
6
NaOH
Cs2CO3
K2CO3
Na2CO3
KHCO3
K3PO4
KOAc
NaOAc
traceb
none
none
6
Results and Discussion
a Isolated yield. b Less than 1% by NMR yield.
Base Effects. Initially, when Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (ttp=5,10,15,
20-tetrakistolylporphyrinato dianion) was heated in metha-
nol at 150 °C for 4 days, only lower yields of Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a)
(carbon-oxygen bond cleavage) and Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3)
(carbon-hyrogen/oxygen-hydrogen bond cleavage) were
isolated, in 7% and 5% yield, respectively (eq 1, Table 1,
entry 1). We sought to enhance the product yield and
selectivity by examining the promoting effect of base.9 The
reactions were then examined at 150 °C with 10 equiv of base
added. The organic base, 2,20-bipyridyl, was not effective
with Rh(ttp)CH3 and Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3; both formed in
only 2% yield (Table 1, entry 2). To our delight, various
inorganic bases used are beneficial, with Rh(ttp)CH3 pro-
duced in higher yields, from 45% to 87% (Table 1, entries
3-11). Regardless of the inorganic bases used, Rh(ttp)Cl
was consumed within 1 h with only a small amount of
Rh(ttp)CH3 observed. The carbon-oxygen bond cleavage
is therefore likely the slowest reaction step. Stronger bases
such as KOH and NaOH gave only 45% and 61% yields of
Rh(ttp)CH3, respectively (Table 1, entries 3 and 4). Rh(ttp)
CH3 was obtained in higher yields with weaker bases of
K2CO3 and NaOAc (Table 1, entries 5-11). Strong bases
likely cause the decomposition of rhodium porphyrin inter-
mediates.25d Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 usually formed in a trace
amount when a weak base was used. Therefore, K2CO3 was
chosen to be the optimal base since it gave the highest yield of
Rh(ttp)CH3 with a better selectivity.
Table 2. Effects of Base Loading on the Reaction of
Rh(ttp)Cl with MeOH
entry
K2CO3 equiv
2a yield/%a
1
2
3
4
5
80b
87
43
36
10
20
30
a Isolated yield. b With trace of Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3.
Table 3. Temperature and Time Effects on the Reaction of
Rh(ttp)Cl with MeOH
entry
temp/°C
time/days
2a yield/%a
3 yield/%a
1
2
3
4
80
120
150
150
5
3
0.5
1
6
47
56
87
traceb
traceb
none
none
Effects of Base Loadings. The optimization of K2CO3
loading in the reaction of Rh(ttp)Cl with methanol was
carried out at 150 °C (eq 2, Table 2). Higher loadings of
K2CO3 (20 and 30 equiv) gave lower yields of Rh(ttp)CH3
of 43% and 36%, respectively (Table 2, entries 3 and 4).
Alternatively, a lower loading of K2CO3 (5 equiv) gave a
slightly lower yield of Rh(ttp)CH3 of 80% together with a
trace amount of Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (Table 2, entry 1). There-
fore, the optimized amount of K2CO3 was found to be 10
equiv (Table 2, entry 2).
Temperature and Time Effects. We then examined the
temperature effect on the reaction (eq 3, Table 3). At lower
reaction temperatures of 80 and 120 °C, lower product yields
of Rh(ttp)CH3 of 6% and 47%, respectively, together with a
trace amount of Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (Table 3, entries 1 and 2)
were obtained. It was observed that Rh(ttp)Cl was consumed
a Isolated yield. b Less than 1% by NMR.
rapidly even at 80 °C after 1 h without any Rh(ttp)CH3
observed. Likely, Rh(ttp)Cl reacts rapidly to give an inter-
mediate, which then reacts with methanol to produce Rh(ttp)
CH3 in a slower step. A high temperature of 150 °C was
required for a high yield of Rh(ttp)CH3. Furthermore, the
reaction required 1 day at 150 °C for completeness, as in half
a day, only 56% yield of Rh(ttp)CH3 was obtained (Table 3,
entries 3 and 4).
Therefore, the optimal conditions for carbon-oxygen
bond cleavage of methanol by Rh(ttp)Cl was found to be
150 °C in the presence of 10 equiv of K2CO3 for 1 day and
87% yield of Rh(ttp)CH3 was obtained (eq 4).
RhðttpÞCl þ CH3OH 10 equiv K CO RhðttpÞCH3 ð4Þ
3
2
N2, 150°C, 1 d
1a
87% 2a
(17) (a) Chan, Y. W.; Chan, K. S. Organometallics 2008, 27, 4625–
4635. (b) Chan, K. S.; Lau, C. M.; Yeung, S. K.; Lai, T. H. Organome-
tallics 2007, 26, 1981–1985. (c) Chan, K. S.; Lau, C. M. Organometallics
2006, 25, 260–265.
Porphyrin Effects. By installing different aryls at the meso-
positions, we sought to study the effects of porphyrin ligands

Article
Organometallics, Vol. 28, No. 14, 2009 3983
Table 4. Porphyrin Effects on the Reaction of Rh
(por)Cl with MeOH
center is then coordinated with methanol, and after the
abstraction of a proton by chloride anion, Rh(ttp)OCH3 is
produced (Scheme 1, pathway Ia). Rh(ttp)OCH3 is then
converted to Rh(ttp)H and formaldehyde via β-hydride
elimination (Scheme 1, pathway IIa).21 Rh(ttp)H cleaves
the carbon-oxygen bond of methanol to give Rh(ttp)CH3
(Scheme 1, pathway III, and Table 7, entry 3). The inter-
mediate Rh(ttp)OCH3 can also undergo isomerization to
give Rh(ttp)CH2OH (Scheme 1, pathways IIa and IV). The
isomerization of Rh(ttp)OCH3 to Rh(ttp)CH2OH through
β-hydride elimination and subsequent reinsertion is re-
ported.16,22,23 We did not observe the formation of Rh(ttp)
CH2OH from Rh(ttp)OCH3, but the insertion of Rh(ttp)H
to formaldehyde (paraformaldehyde as a precursor) to give
Rh(ttp)CH2OH was observed (Scheme 1, pathway IV, and
eq 7). This insertion process under dihydrogen has been
reported by Wayland et al.23
entry
por
2a-c yield/%a
1
2
3
ttp
tpp
tmp
2a 87
2b 52
2c 69
a Isolated yield.
on the carbon-oxygen bond cleavage of methanol (eq 5,
Table 4). There was a slight difference in product yields in
the reactions of methanol with Rh(tpp)Cl (1b) (tpp=5,10,
15,20-tetrakisphenylporphyrinato dianion), Rh(ttp)Cl, or
Rh(tmp)Cl (1c) (tmp=5,10,15,20-tetrakismesitylporphyri-
nato dianion). The less electron-rich Rh(tpp)Cl and the more
bulky Rh(tmp)Cl reacted slightly less efficiently to give Rh-
(tpp)CH3 (2b) in 52% yield (Table 4, entry 2) and Rh(tmp)
CH3 (2c) in 69% yield, respectively (Table 4, entry 3).
These new convenient syntheses of Rh(por)CH3 employ
cheap methanol as the methylating agent without the use of
expensive and toxic iodomethane. In contrast, the conven-
tional syntheses of rhodium porphyrin methyls were car-
ried out by the reduction of Rh(por)Cl (por=porphyrinato
dianion) with NaBH4 followed by methylation with iodo-
methane.18 Rh(ttp)CD3 (2a-d3) was also easily accessible
in 91% yield from methanol-d4 (eq 6).
rt, 5 min
RhðttpÞH þ ðHCHOÞn
RhðttpÞCH2OH ð7Þ
C6D6
quantitative
10 equiv
Rh(ttp)CH2OH formation through intermolecular car-
bon-hydrogen bond activation of methanol by Rh(ttp)H
is also possible, which further condenses with methanol to
yield Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (Scheme 1, pathway V). We have
attempted to illustrate the condensation of Rh(ttp)CH2OH
with methanol. The reaction gave Rh(ttp)CH3 in 94% yield
with a trace amount of Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 at 150 °C (eq 8).
The unexpected result was probably due to the formation
of Rh(ttp)H from Rh(ttp)CH2OH through β-hydride elim-
ination with subsequent carbon-oxygen bond cleavage of
methanol. Nonetheless, a similar ether condensation of two
Rh(tpp)CH2OH to give (Rh(tpp)CH2)2O in benzene was
reported by Wayland et al.23 In excess methanol, it is believed
that Rh(ttp)CH2OH condenses with methanol rather than
undergoing self-condensation.
RhðttpÞCl þ CD3OD 10 equiv K CO RhðttpÞCD3 ð6Þ
3
2
N2, 150 °C, 1 d
1a
2a-d3 91%
Figures 1 and 2 show the X-ray structures of Rh(ttp)
CH2OCH3 and Rh(ttp)CD3. Table 5 lists some selected bond
lengths and maximum deviations of the core atoms and
rhodium from the 24-atom least-squares plane of Rh(ttp)
CH2OCH3 and Rh(ttp)CD3. The Rh-CR bond lengths of
Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 and Rh(ttp)CD3 are 2.059(16) and 2.022
150 °C
RhðttpÞCH2OH þ CH3OH
RhðttpÞCH3
N2, 1 d
94%
2a
˚
(7) A, respectively (Table 5, entries 1 and 2), which are similar
˚
þ RhðttpÞCH2OCH3
ð8Þ
to the reported Rh-CR bond length (2.031(6) A) of Rh(oep)
trace
3
CH3 (oep = 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphyrinato dia-
nion)19 (Table 5, entry 3). The average Rh-N bond lengths
in Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 and Rh(ttp)CD3 do not have any
.
Base-Promoted. In the presence of a base, Rh(ttp)Cl first
˚
undergoes ligand substitution with X (X=OH and CO3K,
etc.) (Scheme 1, pathway Ib). The ligand substitution of
Rh(ttp)Cl with base has been reported previously,24,25d and
we proposed that it is the same case in methanol. For X=
OH, transition metal hydroxides have been reported to
be reactive in bond activation.25 Rh(ttp)X reacts with
significant difference, which are 2.021 and 2.029 A, respec-
tively (Table 5, entries 1 and 2). On the other hand, the more
bulky axial ligand -CH2OCH3 likely forces the porphyrin to
adopt a geometry with a smaller out-of-plane distance
(Table 5, entries 1 and 2).
Mechanistic Studies
(21) Collman, J. P.; Boulatov, R. Inorg. Chem. 2001, 40, 560–563.
(22) Wayland, B. B.; Woods, B. A.; Minda, V. M. J. Chem. Soc.,
Chem. Commun. 1982, 11, 634–635.
(23) Wayland, B. B.; Vanvoorhees, S. L.; Wilker, C. Inorg. Chem.
1986, 25, 4039–4042.
Mechanism. Scheme 1 illustrates the proposed mechanism of
carbon-oxygen bond cleavage of methanol with Rh(ttp)Cl.
No Base. In the absence of base, Rh(ttp)Cl likely under-
goes heterolysis to form Rh(ttp)+ and Cl-.9,20 The rhodium
(24) Roesky, H. W.; Singh, S.; Yusuff, K. K. M.; Maguire, J. A.;
Hosmane, N. S. Chem. Rev. 2006, 106, 3813–3843.
(18) Ogoshi, H.; Setsune, J.; Omura, T.; Yoshida, Z. J. Am. Chem.
Soc. 1975, 97, 6461–6466.
(19) Nelson, A. P.; DiMagno, S. G. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122,
8569–8570.
(20) (a) Zhou, X.; Li, Q.; Mak, T. C. W.; Chan, K. S. Inorg. Chim.
Acta 1998, 270, 551–554. (b) Chan, K. S.; Lau, C. M. Organometallics
2006, 25, 260–265. (c) Chan, K. S.; Chiu, P. F.; Choi, K. S. Organome-
tallics 2007, 26, 1117–1119.
(25) (a) Tenn, W. J.; Young, K. J. H.; Oxgaard, J.; Nielsen, R. J.;
Goddard, W. A.; Periana, R. A. Organometallics 2006, 25, 5173–5175.
(b) Oxgaard, J.; Tenn, W. J.; Nielson, R. J.; Periana, R. A.; Goddard, W.
A. Organometallics 2007, 26, 1565–1567. (c) Feng, Y.; Lail, M.; Barakat,
K. A.; Cundari, T. R.; Gunnoe, T. B.; Peterson, J. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc.
2005, 127, 14174–14175. (d) Cheung, C. W.; Chan, K. S. Organometallics
2008, 27, 3043–3055. (e) Kloek, S. M.; Heinekey, M.; Goldberg, K. I.
Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2007, 46, 4736–4738.

3984 Organometallics, Vol. 28, No. 14, 2009
Fung et al.
Figure 1. ORTEP presentation of the molecular structure with numbering scheme for Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) with solvent molecules
omitted for clarity (30% probability displacement ellipsoids).
Figure 2. ORTEP presentation of the molecular structure with numbering scheme for Rh(ttp)CD3 (2a-d3) with solvent molecules
omitted for clarity (30% probability displacement ellipsoids).
˚
Table 5. Selected Bond Lengths (A) and Max. Deviation of Rh
(ttp)CD3 and Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3
CH2OH, as a precursor for the Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 forma-
tion, converts more competitively back to Rh(ttp)H.23
Furthermore, Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 was found to be unstable
at 150 °C in methanol in the presence of 10 equiv of K2CO3 to
give a 84% yield of Rh(ttp)- and a 10% yield of Rh(ttp)
CH2OCH3 after 36 h, respectively (eq 9, Table 6, entry 1).
Likely, Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 is converted to Rh(ttp)- slowly in
the presence of a nucleophilic base in the polar methanol by
nucleophilic substitution at the R-carbon (Scheme 2, path-
way VIII).26 This observation agrees with the absence of
Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 under strongly basic media. The Rh(ttp)-
formed is then reprotonated to give Rh(ttp)H27 (Scheme 2,
pathway VI) for further reactions. It is worth noting that the
nucleophilic attack of Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (36 h) is slower
than the formation of Rh(ttp)CH3 (24 h). Therefore, Rh(ttp)
CH2OCH3 is not a major productive intermediate for
Rh(ttp)CH3. However, the nucleophilic attack requires both
base and polar solvent. Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 was found ther-
mally stable in benzene-d6 with 10 equiv of K2CO3 and in
methanol-d4 without base (Table 6, entries 2 and 3).
max. deviation-
Rh-C
length (A) squares plane (A)
from the least- Rh-Nav
˚
˚
˚
(A)
entry
Rh(ttp)R
1
2
3
Rh(ttp)CD3 (2a-d3)
Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3)
Rh(oep)CH3
2.022(7)
2.059(16)
2.031(6)
0.495(6)
0.335(7)
2.029
2.021
19
CH3O-H to give Rh(ttp)OCH3. Deprotonation of the
coordinated methanol by a base provides an alternative path-
way to Rh(ttp)OCH3. Rh(ttp)OCH3 then converts to Rh(ttp)
H and formaldehyde through β-proton elimination/protona-
tion21 (Scheme 1, pathway IIb). Rh(ttp)H once formed cleaves
the carbon-oxygen bond of methanol to give Rh(ttp)CH3
(Scheme 1, pathway III, and Table 7, entry 3) and in a minor
pathway inserts to formaldehyde to give Rh(ttp)CH2OH23
(Scheme 1, pathway IV). Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 is finally formed
from the condensation of Rh(ttp)CH2OH with methanol23
(Scheme 1, pathway V). The addition of base significantly
enhances the reaction rate and yield, probably the base-
promoted formation of Rh(ttp)OCH3 (Scheme 1, pathway
Ib) and Rh(ttp)H (Scheme 1, pathway IIb).
(26) Sanford, M. S.; Groves, J. T. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2004, 43,
588–590.
(27) Ogoshi, H.; Setsune, J.; Yoshida, Z. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1977, 99,
3869–3870.
However, low yields of Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 were obtained
in most studies (Tables 1, 2, and 3). Probably, Rh(ttp)

Article
Organometallics, Vol. 28, No. 14, 2009 3985
Scheme 1. Proposed Mechanism of the Reaction of MeOH with Rh(ttp)Cl
Table 6. Thermal Stability of Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 in C6D6 and
CD3OD
estimated accurately since Rh(tmp)Cl is sparingly soluble in
methanol-d4. Then the mixture was heated at 150 °C for
1 day, and after workup, Rh(tmp)CD3 was isolated in
75% yield.
10 equiv K2CO3
RhðtmpÞCl
40 °C, CD3OD, 30 min
10 equiv K2CO3
1c
ð11Þ
K2CO3
entry solvent equiv time
-
Rh(ttp)R(% yielda)
RhðtmpÞ
RhðtmpÞCD3
150 °C,CD3OD, 2 days
75% 2c-d3
1
2
3
CD3OD 10
CD3OD
C6D6
36 h Rh(ttp)- (84);Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (10)
20 d Rh(ttp)- (trace);Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (77)
19 d Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (100)
0
10
Independent reaction of Rh(ttp)Na (sodium [5,10,15,20-
tetratolylporphyrinato]rhodate(I)) (1f), generated from the
reduction of Rh(ttp)Cl with sodium amalgam,33 with metha-
nol in both the absence and the presence of K2CO3 gave
Rh(ttp)CH3 in 37% and 47% yields, respectively (eq 13,
Table 7, entries 1 and 2). While all these experiments point to
the possibility of carbon-oxygen bond cleavage of methanol
by Rh(ttp)-, the implied nucleophilic substitution is highly
unlikely because hydroxide anion is a very poor leaving
group. We suggest that the equilibrium amount of Rh(ttp)H
(pKa ∼11)28 is more likely the active intermediate. We did not
observe Rh(ttp)H formed by 1H NMR spectroscopy because
it is formed in trace amount and is not very soluble in
methanol.
a
Estimated by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
Scheme 2. Equilibrium between Rh(I), Rh(II), and Rh(III)
Reaction with Rh2(ttp)2. Since the bimetalloradical activa-
tion of methanol by RhII(tmp) to give the OH activation
products of Rh(tmp)OCH3 and Rh(tmp)H is known,16 the
possibility of Rh(ttp)CH3 formation by Rh2(ttp)2 is investi-
gated. Rh2(ttp)2 indeed reacted with methanol at 150 °C, but
gave only 9% yield of Rh(ttp)CH3 and 5% yield of Rh(ttp)
CH2OCH3, respectively (Scheme 2, pathway IX, and Table 7,
entry 3). While an equilibrium concentration Rh(ttp) mono-
mer exists in benzene due to the weak Rh-Rh bond,29 the poor
solubility of Rh2(ttp)2 in the more polar MeOH solvent even
reduces the concentration of Rh(ttp). The direct C-O cleavage
by Rh(ttp) monomer or Rh2(ttp)2 is not likely. Furthermore,
the more reactive, monomeric Rh(tmp) does not react with
MeOH (5 M in benzene or neat) at room temperature to give
any C-O cleavage product but only yields the OH activation
products. Rh(II) does not appear to be the direct species, at
least the major one, in activating the C-O bond. Moreover,
the chemistry involving the direct C-O cleavage of MeOH by
Rh(II) implies the very unlikely homolytic bimolecular sub-
stitution on the carbon center to give a very energetic hydroxyl
radical. The endothermicity is estimated to be prohibitively
high, about 35 kcal/mol, based on the bond dissociation
Although Rh(ttp)H is known to equilibrate with Rh(ttp)-
and Rh2(ttp)2 (Scheme 2, pathways VI and VII),23,27 only Rh-
(ttp)H plays a role of the active intermediate that directly cleaves
the carbon-oxygen bond of methanol, as further supporting
experiments shown below disfavor other possibilities.
Reaction with Rh(ttp)- Anion. Indeed, Rh(ttp)- was ob-
served as a major intermediate when the reaction sequence of
methanol with Rh(ttp)Cl in the presence of K2CO3 (10 equiv)
1
at 150 °C was monitored by H NMR spectroscopy in the
course of 2 days (eq 10). The β-pyrrole signals are very
diagnostic of the rhodium porphyrin species. Initially,
Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (δ=8.72 ppm) was transformed to Rh(ttp)-
anion (1f) (δ=8.05 ppm) at 40 °C in 1 h in approximately
81% yield. The intensity of the β-pyrrole signal correspond-
ing to Rh(ttp)- decreased gradually upon further heating the
mixture at 150 °C for 2 days. Since Rh(ttp)CD3 was sparingly
soluble in methanol-d4, it could not be accurately monitored
by 1H NMR spectroscopy. However, upon workup and
purification by column chromatography, a 94% yield of
Rh(ttp)CD3 was isolated.
10 equiv K2CO3
-
RhðttpÞCl
RhðttpÞ
40 °C, CD3OD, 1 h
1a
∼81%
10 equiv K2CO3
ð10Þ
(28) (a) Nelson, A. P.; DiMagno, S. G. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122,
8569–8570. (b) The pKa ∼11 supports that Rh(ttp)H is in equilibrium
with Rh(ttp)- in DMSO, while the equilibrium in MeOH was observed
in the H/D exchange reaction of Rh(ttp)H even with 100 equiv MeOH in
benzene (eq 19) where rapid proton exchange offers the most reasonable
explanation.
(29) (a) Wayland, B. B.; Coffin, V. L.; Farnos, M. D. Inorg. Chem.
1988, 27, 2745–2747. (b) Wayland, B. B. Polyhedron 1988, 7, 1545–1555.
(c) Wayland, B. B.; Ba, S.; Sherry, A. E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113,
5305–5311.
þ RhðttpÞCl
RhðttpÞCD3
150°C,CD3OD,2 d
∼6%
94% 2a-d3
Likewise, the reaction of Rh(tmp)Cl (1c) (δ = 8.56 ppm)
with CD3OD at 40 °C in the presence of 10 equiv of K2CO3 in
a sealed NMR tube was monitored by H NMR spectro-
1
scopy (eq 11). Rh(tmp)- anion (δ = 7.84 ppm) was observed
within 30 min. The yield of Rh(tmp)- anion could not be

3986 Organometallics, Vol. 28, No. 14, 2009
Fung et al.
energies of the Me-OH and Rh(ttp)-Me of 92 and 57 kcal/
mol, respectively.29c
spectroscopy is sufficiently long, as the same KIE value was
obtained independently by MS analysis (eq 16). The KIE
value from Rh(ttp)Cl agreed with KIE values from Rh(ttp)H
and Rh(ttp)D, which were 1.21 ( 0.09 (eq 17) and 1.07 ( 0.09
(eq 18), respectively. These small values could be interpreted
as the secondary KIE initially.
However, Rh(ttp)H in the presence of 100 equiv of
CD3OD in benzene at room temperature exchanged to
give Rh(ttp)D quantitatively within 5 min (eq 19). Fast
proton exchanges of Rh(ttp)H/Rh(ttp)D with methanol
had occurred. The small KIE values could not be interpreted
easily, as they are the combined results of two processes.
With K2CO3 added, Rh2(ttp)2 reacted with methanol to
give a much higher yield of Rh(ttp)CH3 of 73% (Table 7,
entry 4). Probably, K2CO3 promotes the product formation
by converting Rh2(ttp)2 into Rh(ttp)OH or Rh(ttp)CO3K
and Rh(ttp)- (eq 12).30 These species are more soluble in
methanol and gave a higher yield of Rh(ttp)CH3. Therefore,
Rh2(ttp)2 is unlikely an active direct intermediate for the
carbon-oxygen bond cleavage of methanol because (1)
it gave only a low yield of Rh(ttp)CH3 of 9%, and (2)
RhII(por) is reported to cleave the O-H bond rapidly,16
which makes C-O cleavage by RhII(por) not very compe-
titive. Rh2(ttp)2, at most, provides a minor pathway to
afford Rh(ttp)H and Rh(ttp)OCH3 (Scheme 2, pathway IX),
which further react to give Rh(ttp)CH3 and Rh(ttp)CH2-
OCH3, respectively.
-
Rh2ðttpÞ2 þ Nu-
RhðttpÞNu þ RhðttpÞ
Nu- ¼ OH-,CO3K-
ð12Þ
Table 7. Reactions of MeOH with Rh(I), Rh(II), and Rh(III)
entry
Rh(ttp)X
K2CO3 equiv
2a yield/ %
3 yield/ %
1
2
3
4
5
6
Rh(ttp)Na
Rh(ttp)Na
Rh2(ttp)2
Rh2(ttp)2
Rh(ttp)H
Rh(ttp)H
0
10
0
10
0
37
47
9
73
33
42
none
none
5
none
15
10
4
Reaction with Rh(ttp)H. We favor Rh(ttp)H as the more
likely intermediate for carbon-oxygen bond cleavage in
thermodynamic terms; the formation of a strong oxygen-
hydrogen bond in the coproduct water drives the reaction.
The carbon-oxygen bond cleavage step via Rh(ttp)H is
supported by the independent reaction between Rh(ttp)H
and methanol, which gave Rh(ttp)CH3 in 33% yield and
Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 in 15% yield (Table 7, entry 5). With
K2CO3 added, Rh(ttp)H quickly yields Rh(ttp)- anion23 in
methanol (Scheme 2, pathway VI) before finally producing
Rh(ttp)CH3 in 42% yield and Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 in 4% yield
(Table 7, entry 6).
While lacking a direct piece of evidence, however, we do
believe the slowest step of the reaction is the carbon-oxygen
bond cleavage step by Rh(ttp)H because Rh(ttp)Cl quickly
was converted to Rh(ttp)- within 5 min at 150 °C in the
presence of K2CO3 (10 equiv), while further transformation
to Rh(ttp)CH3 required 1 day.
For the Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 obtained from the competitive
reaction by Rh(ttp)H, it is likely a mixture of Rh(ttp)
CH2OCH3, Rh(ttp)CD2OCD3, Rh(ttp)CH2OCD3, and Rh-
(ttp)CD2OCH3. The observed values of the kinetic isotope
effect for the methine (CH2) and methyl (CH3) groups were
1.38 ( 0.08 and 0.44 ( 0.03, respectively. A simple interpreta-
tion seems inappropriate due to the complex steps involved.
Kinetic Isotope Effects. Since Rh(ttp)CH3 does not under-
go significant methyl group exchange with methanol-d4 at
150 °C for 1 day in the presence of K2CO3 (eq 14), even with a
stronger base of KOH (eq 15), kinetic isotope effects on the
carbon-oxygen bond cleavage were carried out by a com-
petition experiment using an equimolar mixture of methanol
and methanol-d4 with Rh(ttp)Cl (eq 16). The value of the
kinetic isotope effect of the formation of Rh(ttp)CH3 from
Rh(ttp)Cl was found to be 1.19 ( 0.05 by 1H NMR spectro-
1
scopy. The relaxation time for KIE analysis by H NMR
(30) (a) Ni, Y.; Fitzgerald, J. P.; Carroll, P.; Wayland, B. B. Inorg.
Chem. 1994, 33, 2029–2035. (b) Wayland, B. B.; Balkus, K. J.; Farnos,
M. D. Organometallics 1989, 8, 950–955.
Conclusions
(31) (a) Alder, A. D.; Logon, F. R.; Finarelli, J. D.; Goldmacher, J.;
Assour, J.; Korsakof, L. J. Org. Chem. 1967, 32, 476. (b) Wagner, R. W.;
Lawrence, D. S.; Lindsey, J. S. Tetrahedron Lett. 1987, 28, 3069–3070.
Rhodium porphyrin chlorides were found to react with
methanol at a high temperature of 150 °C in the presence of

Article
Organometallics, Vol. 28, No. 14, 2009 3987
1
base to give high yields of rhodium porphyrin methyls.
Mechanistic studies suggest that Rh(ttp)H is the key inter-
mediate for the carbon-oxygen bond cleavage. The roles of
base are (i) to facilitate the formation of the more reactive
Rh(ttp)X (X=OH or CO3K), (ii) to enhance the rate of
formation of Rh(ttp)OCH3 and hence Rh(ttp)H for car-
bon-oxygen bond cleavage, and (iii) to convert the side
product, Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3, to Rh(ttp)CH3 via Rh(ttp)-
anion. In order to achieve an efficient rhodium porphyrin-
based methane oxidation, it would be necessary (i) to remove
the methanol continuously or (ii) to carry out the reaction at
a lower conversion. Further studies are ongoing.
8.4 Hz), 8.73 (s, 8 H); H NMR (CD3OD, 300 MHz) δ -6.62
(d, 3 H, J=2.7 Hz), 2.69 (s, 12 H), 7.56 (d, 8 H, J = 8.1 Hz), 8.00
(dd, 4 H, J=1.5, 8.1 Hz), 8.05 (dd, 4 H, J = 1.5, 8.4 Hz), 8.63
(s, 8 H); HRMS (FABMS) calcd for C49H39N4Rh+ m/z 786.2224,
found m/z 786.2227. Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (<1%, NMR yield)
withRf=0.51 (hexane/CH2Cl2, 1:1) was observed in the 1H NMR.
Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3): 1H NMR (CDCl3, 300 MHz) δ -2.20 (d, 2
H, J = 3.3 Hz), δ -0.70 (s, 3 H), δ 2.69 (s, 12 H), δ 7.52 (t, 8 H, J=
6 Hz), δ 7.98 (dd, 4 H, J = 2.1, 7.5 Hz), δ 8.07 (dd, 4 H, J=2.1, 8.0
Hz), δ8.71 (s, 8 H); 1HNMR(CD3OD, 300 MHz) δ-2.74 (d, 2 H,
J=3.3 Hz), -0.74 (s, 3H), 2.68 (s, 12 H), 7.56 (d, 8 H, J=7.8 Hz),
7.98 (dd, 4 H, J = 1.5, 8.0 Hz), 8.05 (dd, 4 H, J = 2.1, 7.7 Hz), 8.66
(s, 8 H); 1H NMR (C6D6, 300 MHz) δ -1.88 (d, 2 H, J=3.6 Hz),
-0.64 (s, 3H), 2.41 (s, 12 H), 7.26 (d, 8 H, J = 7.8 Hz), 7.34 (d, 4 H,
J =7.8 Hz), 8.04 (dd, 4 H, J=1.2, 7.35 Hz), 8.19 (dd, 4 H, J = 1.5,
8.5 Hz), 8.98 (s, 8 H); 13C NMR (C6D6, 75 MHz) δ 21.82
(d, 1JRh-C=26.6 Hz), 30.56, 56.35, 34.48, 65.53 (d, J=26.8 Hz),
123.17, 132.14, 134.64 (d, J=25.7 Hz), 137.52, 140.53, 144.16;
HRMS (FABMS) calcd for C50H41N4ORh+ m/z 816.2330, found
m/z 816.2315.
Addition of 10 equiv of KOH. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.0 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and KOH (15.1 mg,
0.26 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A red
product, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (8.7 mg, 0.011 mmol, 45%), was
collected. Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (<1%, NMR yield) was
observed in the 1H NMR.
Addition of 10 equiv of NaOH. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.2 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and NaOH (10.1 mg,
0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A red
product, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (11.9 mg, 0.015 mmol, 61%), was
collected.
Addition of 10 equiv of Cs2CO3. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (19.9 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and Cs2CO3 (82.2 mg,
0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A red
product, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (10.0 mg, 0.011 mmol, 51%), was
collected.
Addition of 10 equiv of K2CO3. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.3 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and K2CO3 (35.1 mg,
0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A red
product, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (17.1 mg, 0.022 mmol, 87%), was
collected.
Addition of 10 equiv of Na2CO3. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.2 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and Na2CO3 (27.2 mg,
0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. Two
red products, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (17.0 mg, 0.022 mmol, 87%) and
Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (1.2 mg, 0.001 mmol, 6%), were collected,
respectively.
Experimental Section
Unless otherwise noted, all reagents were purchased from
commercial suppliers and directly used without further purifica-
tion. Hexane was distilled from anhydrous calcium chloride.
Thin-layer chromatography was performed on precoated silica
gel 60 F254 plates. Silica gel (Merck, 70-230 mesh) was used for
column chromatography. All reactions were carried out in
Telfon screw-capped tubes under N2 with the mixture degassed
for three freeze-thaw-pump cycles and wrapped with alumi-
num foil to prevent undesired photochemical reactions. After
the crude mixture was dried under high vacuum, extraction was
performed using CH2Cl2/H2O in case bases were used. The
products were further purified by silica gel column chromato-
graphy eluting with a solvent mixture of hexane/CH2Cl2 (1:1).
The known compounds H2(ttp),31a H2(tpp),31a H2(tmp),31b Rh-
(ttp)Cl (1a); 1H NMR (CD3OD, 300 MHz) δ 2.66 (s, 12 H), 7.53
(d, 8 H, J = 8.1 Hz), 8.09 (d, 8 H, J = 7.8 Hz), 8.73 (s, 8 H),20
Rh(tpp)Cl (1b),20 Rh(tmp)Cl (1c),20 Rh(ttp)H (1d),23 and Rh2-
(ttp)2 (1e)23,32 were synthesized according to literature proce-
dures.
1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker
DPX-300 at 300 and 75 MHz or Bruker AV- 400 MHz at 400 MHz
and 100 MHz, respectively. Chemical shifts were referenced with
the residual solvent protons in CD3OD (δ=3.31 ppm) and CDCl3
1
(δ=7.26 ppm) or tetramethylsilane (δ=0.00 ppm) in H NMR
spectra and CDCl3 (δ = 77.16 ppm) in 13C NMR spectra as the
internal standards. Chemical shifts (δ) were reported as parts per
million (ppm) in δ scale downfield from TMS. Coupling constants
(J) were reported in hertz (Hz). High-resolution mass spectra
(HRMS) were recorded on a ThermoFinnigan MAT 95 XL mass
spectrometer. Fast atom bombardment spectra were performed
with 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol (NBA) as the matrix.
Addition of 10 equiv of KHCO3. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (19.8 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and KHCO3 (25.1 mg,
0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day with the
reaction protected from light by aluminum foil. A red product,
Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (11.2 mg, 0.014 mmol, 57%), was collected.
Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (<1%, NMR yield) was observed in the
1H NMR.
Addition of 10 equiv of K3PO4. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.1 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and NaOAc (20.1 mg,
0.24 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A red
product, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (13.2 mg, 0.017 mmol, 67%), was
collected.
Addition of 10 equiv of KOAc. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.1 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and NaOAc (16.5 mg, 0.21 mmol)
were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A red product, Rh(ttp)
CH3 (2a) (13.2 mg, 0.017 mmol, 84%), was collected.
Addition of 10 equiv of NaOAc. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.1 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and NaOAc (20.1 mg,
0.24 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. Two
red products, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (17.0 mg, 0.022 mmol, 87%) and
Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (1.2 mg, 0.001 mmol, 6%), were collected,
respectively.
1. Preparation of Starting Materials. Preparation of Sodium
[5,10,15,20-tetratolylporphyrinato]rhodate(I) [Rh(ttp)]Na (1f).
The synthesis of [Rh(ttp)]-Na+ follows a literature method
except the solvent used was changed to methanol.33 1H NMR
(CD3OD, 300 MHz): δ 2.55 (s, 12 H), 7.36 (d, 8 H, J = 7.7 Hz),
7.78 (d, 8 H, J = 7.6 Hz), 8.02 (s, 8 H).
2. Reaction between Rh(ttp)Cl and Methanol with Various
Bases. Without Base. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.1 mg, 0.025 mmol)
and methanol (3.0 mL) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day.
Two red products, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a)34 (1.4 mg, 0.001 mmol, 7%)
and Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (1.0 mg, 0.001 mmol, 5%), with Rf =
0.72 and Rf=0.51 (hexane/CH2Cl2, 1:1), were collected, respec-
tively. Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a): 1H NMR (CDCl3, 300 MHz)
δ -5.82 (d, 3 H, J=3.0 Hz), 2.69 (s, 12 H), 7.53 (d, 8 H, J=
7.5 Hz), 8.01 (dd, 4 H, J=2.4, 8.4 Hz), 8.07 (dd, 4 H, J=2.4,
(32) Collman, J. P. L.; Barnes, C. E.; Woo, J. K. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
U.S.A. 1985, 80, 7086.
(33) (a) Tse, A. K. S.; Wu, B. M.; Mak, T. C. W.; Chan, K. S. J.
Organomet. Chem. 1998, 568, 257–261. (b) Dolphin, D.; Halko, D. J.;
Johnson, E. Inorg. Chem. 1981, 20, 4348–4351.
(34) Chan, K. S.; Mak, K. W.; Tse, M. K.; Yeung, S. K.; Li, B. Z.;
Chan, Y. W. J. Organomet. Chem. 2008, 693, 399–407.

3988 Organometallics, Vol. 28, No. 14, 2009
Fung et al.
Addition of 10 equiv of 2,20-Bipyridyl. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.0 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and 2,20-bipyridyl (40.2 mg,
0.26 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A mixture
of red products, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (∼2%, NMR yield) and
Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (∼2%, NMR yield), was collected.
3. Base Loading Effects on the Reaction between Rh(ttp)Cl
and Methanol. Addition of 5 equiv of K2CO3. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a)
(20.2 mg, 0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and K2CO3
(17.3 mg, 0.125 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for
1 day. A red product, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (15.7 mg, 0.021 mmol,
80%), was collected. Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (<1%, NMR yield)
was observed by 1H NMR.
Addition of 20 equiv of K2CO3. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.1 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and K2CO3 (69.2 mg,
0.50 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A Red
product, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (8.5 mg, 0.011 mmol, 43%) was
collected.
Addition of 30 equiv of K2CO3. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.2 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and K2CO3 (104.2 mg,
0.75 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A Red
product, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (7.1 mg, 0.009 mmol, 36%) was
collected.
4. Temperature Effects on the Reaction between Rh(ttp)Cl and
Methanol. Reaction at 80 °C. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.3 mg, 0.025 mmol),
methanol (3.0 mL), and K2CO3 (35.0 mg, 0.25 mmol) were heated
at 80 °C under N2 for 5 days. A red product, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (1.2 mg,
0.002 mmol, 6%), was collected.
Reaction at 120 °C. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (19.9 mg, 0.025 mmol),
methanol (3.0 mL), and K2CO3 (34.8 mg, 0.25 mmol) were
heated at 120 °C under N2 for 3 days. A red product, Rh(ttp)
CH3 (2a) (9.2 mg, 0.012 mmol, 47%), was collected. Rh(ttp)
CH2OCH3 (3) (<1%, NMR yield) was observed by 1H NMR.
5. Time Effects on the Reaction between Rh(ttp)Cl and Metha-
nol. Half a Day. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (20.1 mg, 0.025 mmol), metha-
nol (3.0 mL), and K2CO3 (35.2 mg, 0.25 mmol) were heated at
150 °C under N2 for 0.5 day. Red Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (11.0 mg,
0.014 mmol, 56%) was collected.
6. Reaction between Rh(por)Cl and Methanol. Reaction be-
tween Rh(tpp)Cl and Methanol. Rh(tpp)Cl (1b) (19.1 mg,
0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and K2CO3 (34.9 mg,
0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A red
product, Rh(tpp)CH3 (2b)23 (10.3 mg, 0.014 mmol, 52%), with
Rf=0.72 (hexane/ CH2Cl2, 1:1) was collected. 1H NMR (CDCl3,
300 MHz):δ -5.80 (d, 3 H, J=2.7 Hz), 7.75(s, 12 H), 8.14(d, 4 H,
J=6.3 Hz), 8.19 (d, 4 H, J=5.7 Hz), 8.72 (s, 8 H).
Reaction between Rh(tmp)Cl and Methanol. Rh(tmp)Cl (1c)
(22.6 mg, 0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and K2CO3 (35.1
mg, 0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A red
product, Rh(tmp)CH3 (2c)35 (13.6 mg, 0.015 mmol, 69%), with
Rf =0.72 (hexane/ CH2Cl2, 1:1) was collected. 1H NMR (C6D6,
300 MHz): δ -5.17 (d, 3 H, J=3 Hz), 1.81 (s, 12 H), 2.34 (s,
12 H), 2.52 (s, 12 H), 7.15 (s, 4 H), 7.29 (s, 4 H), 8.83 (s, 8 H).
7. Reaction between Rh(ttp)Cl and Methanol-d4. Rh(ttp)Cl
(1a) (20.0 mg, 0.025 mmol), methanol-d4 (3.0 mL), and K2CO3
(35.1 mg, 0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day.
Red Rh(ttp)CD3 (2a-d3)36 (18.0 mg, 0.015 mmol, 91%) was
collected. 1H NMR (CDCl3, 300 MHz): δ 2.69 (s, 12 H), 7.53 (d,
8 H, J =7.1 Hz), 8.01 (dd, 4 H, J=2.4, 8.4 Hz), 8.07 (dd,
4 H, J=2.1, 8.0 Hz), 8.72 (s, 8 H). HRMS (FABMS): calcd for
C49H36N4D3Rh+ m/z 789.2413; found m/z 789.2427.
NMR tube was flame-sealed under vacuum. The reaction was
monitored by 1H NMR at certain time intervals in the course of
the reaction. It was heated at 40 °C for 1 h, and Rh(ttp)Cl and
Rh(ttp)- in estimated 6% and 81% yields, respectively, were
observed. The estimations were done by taking the solvent peak
as an internal standard, and the yields were determined from the
integrations by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The mixture was further
heated at 40 °C for 4 days, and there was no significant change in
1H NMR signals. Further heating the mixture at 150 °C for 2 days
caused a decrease in intensity of the β-signal corresponding to
Rh(ttp)-. No Rh(ttp)CD3 was observed since Rh(ttp)CD3 is
sparingly soluble in CD3OD. The crude mixture was dried by
rotary evaporation and purified by silica gel column chromato-
graphy eluting with a solvent mixture of hexane/CH2Cl2 (1:1).
A red product of Rh(ttp)CD3 (2a-d3) (3.3 mg, 0.0042 mmol,
94%) with Rf = 0.72 (hexane/CH2Cl2, 1:1) was collected.
NMR Experiment between Rh(tmp)Cl and Methanol-d4.
Rh(tmp)Cl (1c) (4.1 mg, 0.0045 mmol), methanol-d4 (500 μL),
and K2CO3 (6.3 mg, 0.045 mmol) were added into a Telfon
screw-capped NMR tube. Rh(tmp)Cl: 1H NMR (CD3OD,
300 MHz) δ 1.91 (s, 24 H), 2.60 (s, 12 H), 7.28 (s, 8 H), 8.59
(s, 8 H). The red mixture was degassed for three freeze-thaw-
pump cycles, and the NMR tube was flame-sealed under
1
vacuum. The reaction was monitored by H NMR at certain
time intervals in the course of the reaction. It was heated at 40 °C
for 30 min, and Rh(tmp)- was observed. Rh(tmp)-: 1H NMR
(CD3OD, 300 MHz) δ 1.98 (s, 24 H), 2.51 (s, 12 H), 7.13 (s, 8 H),
7.84 (s, 8 H). No estimation on the yield of Rh(tmp)- could be
done probably because Rh(tmp)Cl was poorly soluble in metha-
nol-d4. The mixture was further heated at 40 °C for 2 days, and
there was no significant change in the 1H NMR signals. Further
heating the mixture at 150 °C for 1 day caused a decrease in
intensity of the β-signals corresponding to Rh(tmp)-. No
Rh(tmp)CD3 was observed since it is sparingly soluble in
CD3OD. The crude mixture was dried by rotary evaporation
and purified by silica gel column chromatography eluting with a
solvent mixture of hexane/CH2Cl2 (1:1). A red product of
Rh(tmp)CD3 (2c-d3)37 (3.1 mg, 0.0034 mmol, 75%) with Rf =
0.72 (hexane/CH2Cl2, 1:1) was collected.
NMR Experiment of Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 without Base in
Methanol-d4. Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (3.7 mg, 0.0045 mmol)
and methanol-d4 (500 μL) were added into a Telfon screw-
capped NMR tube. The red mixture was degassed for three
freeze-thaw-pump cycles, and the NMR tube was flame-
sealed under vacuum. It was heated at 150 °C for 20 days in
1
the dark and monitored with H NMR spectroscopy at parti-
cular time intervals. Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 was recovered in 77%
yield approximately, the estimation was done by taking the
solvent peak as an internal standard, and the yield was deter-
mined from the integrations by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
NMR Experiment of Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 with K2CO3 in
Methanold4. Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (3.7 mg, 0.0045 mmol),
methanol-d4 (500 μL), and K2CO3 (6.2 mg, 0.045 mmol) were
added into a Telfon screw-capped NMR tube. The red mixture
was degassed for three freeze-thaw-pump cycles, and the NMR
tube was flame-sealed under vacuum. It was heated at 150 °C for
1
36 h in the dark and monitored with H NMR spectroscopy
at particular time intervals. Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 was converted to
Rh(ttp)- in 84% yield, and 10% yield of Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 was
recovered in 36 h. The estimations were done by taking the
solvent peak as an internal standard, and the yields were deter-
mined from the integrations by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
NMR Experiment of Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 with Base in Benzene-
d6. Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (3.7 mg, 0.0045 mmol), benzene-d6
(500 μL, 0.316 mmol), and K2CO3 were added into a Telfon
screw-capped NMR tube. The red mixture was degassed for
three freeze-thaw-pump cycles, and the NMR tube was
8. Mechanistic Studies. NMR Experiment between Rh(ttp)Cl
and Methanol-d4. Rh(ttp)Cl (1a) (3.6 mg, 0.0045 mmol), metha-
nol-d4 (500 μL), and K2CO3 (6.2 mg, 0.045 mmol) were added
into a Telfon screw-capped NMR tube. The red mixture
was degassed for three freeze-thaw-pump cycles, and the
(35) Wayland, B. B.; Sherry, A. E.; Poszmik, G.; Bunn, A. G. J. Am.
Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 1673–1681.
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N. T. J. Organomet. Chem. 2001, 634, 61–68.
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511.

Article
Organometallics, Vol. 28, No. 14, 2009 3989
flame-sealed under vacuum. It was heated at 150 °C for 19 days
in the dark and monitored with 1H NMR spectroscopy at
particular time intervals. Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 was recovered in
quantitative yield, the estimation was done by taking the solvent
peak as an internal standard, and the yield was determined from
the integrations by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
Reaction between Rh(ttp)Na and Methanol without Base.
Rh(ttp)Na (1f) was prepared from Rh(ttp)Cl as described.
Rh(ttp)Na (0.025 mmol) and methanol (3.0 mL) were heated
at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A red product, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a)
(7.3 mg, 0.009 mmol, 37%), with Rf = 0.72 (hexane/CH2Cl2,
1:1) was collected.
Reaction between Rh(ttp)Na and Methanol with K2CO3.
Rh(ttp)Na (1f) was prepared from Rh(ttp)Cl as described. Rh-
(ttp)Na (0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0 mL), and K2CO3 (35.2 mg,
0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A red pro-
duct, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (9.2 mg, 0.012 mmol, 47%). was collected.
Reaction between Rh(ttp)H and Methanol without Base.
Rh(ttp)H (1d) was prepared from Rh(ttp)Cl according to the
literature procedure.23 Rh(ttp)H (0.025 mmol) and methanol
(3.0 mL) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. Two red
products, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (6.5 mg, 0.008 mmol, 33%) and
Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (3.1 mg, 0.004 mmol, 15%), were col-
lected, respectively.
Reaction between Rh(ttp)H and Methanol with K2CO3.
Rh(ttp)H (1d) was prepared from Rh(ttp)Cl according to the
literature procedure.23 Rh(ttp)H (0.025 mmol), methanol (3.0
mL), and K2CO3 (34.7 mg, 0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C
under N2 for 1 day. Two red products, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (8.3 mg,
0.011 mmol, 42%) and Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (0.8 mg,
0.001 mmol, 4%), were collected, respectively.
of Rh(ttp)CD3 (2a) (8.7 mg, 0.011 mmol, 93%), Rh(ttp)CHD2,
Rh(ttp)CH2D, and Rh(ttp)CH3 (∼1%, NMR yield) was collected.
Kinetic Isotope Effects: Reaction between Rh(ttp)Cl, Metha-
nol, and Methanol-d4. Rh(ttp)Cl (20.2 mg, 0.025 mmol) and a
premixed equimolar mixture of methanol (1.5 mL, 37.03 mmol),
methanol-d4 (1.5 mL, 36.94 mmol), and K2CO3 (34.9 mg,
0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A mixture
of red products of Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (5.7 mg, 0.007 mmol, 28%,
NMR yield) and Rh(ttp)CD3 (2a-d3) (4.8 mg, 0.006 mmol, 24%,
NMR yield) with the same Rf = 0.72 (hexane/CH2Cl2, 1:1) was
collected, respectively. Observed kinetic isotope effects (kH/
kD)obs were found to be 1.19 ( 0.05 by both 1H NMR and mass
spectrometry in an average of 2 runs, respectively.
Kinetic Isotope Effects: Reaction between Rh(ttp)H, Methanol,
and Methanol-d4. Rh(ttp)H (19.4 mg, 0.025 mmol) and a pre-
mixed equimolar mixture of methanol (1.5 mL, 37.03 mmol) and
methanol-d4 (1.5 mL, 36.94 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under
N2 for 1 day. A mixture of red products of Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a)
(4.9 mg, 0.006 mmol, 25%, NMR yield), Rh(ttp)CD3 (2a-d3)
(4.4 mg, 0.006 mmol, 23%, NMR yield), and Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3
(3) (2.5 mg, 0.003 mmol, 12%, NMR yield) with Rf = 0.72 and
0.51 (hexane/CH2Cl2, 1:1) was collected, respectively. The ob-
served kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD)obs was found to be 1.21 (
0.09 for Rh(ttp)CH3 and Rh(ttp)CD3 by 1H NMR in an average
of 2 runs. For Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3, there was likely a mixture of
Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3, Rh(ttp)CD2OCD3, Rh(ttp)CH2OCD3, and
Rh(ttp)CD2OCH3, and the observed kinetic isotope effects
(kH/kD)obs were found to be 1.38 ( 0.08 and 0.44 ( 0.03 for
the methine (CH2) and methyl (CH3) groups, respectively, by 1H
NMR spectroscopy in an average of 2 runs.
Kinetic Isotope Effects: Reaction between Rh(ttp)D, Methanol,
and Methanol-d4. Rh(ttp)D (19.6 mg, 0.025 mmol) and a pre-
mixed equimolar mixture of methanol (1.5 mL, 37.03 mmol) and
methanol-d4 (1.5 mL, 36.94 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under
N2 for 1 day. A mixture of red products of Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a)
(5.3 mg, 0.007 mmol, 27%, NMR yield) and Rh(ttp)CD3 (2a-d3)
(4.9 mg, 0.006 mmol, 25%, NMR yield) with Rf = 0.72 (hexane/
CH2Cl2, 1:1) was collected. The observed kinetic isotope effect
(kH/kD)obs was found to be 1.07 ( 0.09 for Rh(ttp)CH3 and
Rh(ttp)CD3 by 1H NMR in an average of 2 runs.
Proton Exchange of Rh(ttp)H with Methanol-d4. Rh(ttp)H
(1d) (3.5 mg, 0.0045 mmol), methanol-d4 (18 μL, 0.44 mmol),
and benzene-d6 (480 μL) were added into a Telfon screw-capped
NMR tube. The red mixture was degassed for three freeze-
thaw-pump cycles, and the NMR tube was flame-sealed under
vacuum. The mixture was analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
Rh(ttp)D (1d-d1) (∼100%) and Rh(ttp)H (1d) (trace) were
observed. Due to the presence of methanol-d4, the chemical
shifts were slightly different from the spectrum obtained in pure
benzene-d6.23 1H NMR (C6D6, 400 MHz): δ 2.40 (s, 12 H), 7.2
(d, 8 H, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.33 (d, 4 H, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.94 (d, 4 H, J =
7.2 Hz), 8.19 (d, 4 H, J = 6.8 Hz), 8.98 (s, 8 H). The hydridic
signal appeared at δ -38.80 (d, J = 38.0 Hz).
Reaction between Rh2(ttp)2 and Methanol without Base.
Rh2(ttp)2(1e)was prepared from Rh(ttp)H according to the litera-
ture procedure.23,32 Rh2(ttp)2 (0.025 mmol) and methanol (3.0 mL)
were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. Two red products,
Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (1.8 mg, 0.002 mmol, 9%) and Rh(ttp)CH2O-
CH3 (3) (1.0 mg, 0.001 mmol, 5%), were collected, respectively.
Reaction between Rh2(ttp)2 and Methanol with K2CO3.
Rh2(ttp)2 (1e) was prepared from Rh(ttp)H according to the
literature procedure.23,32 Rh2(ttp)2 (0.025 mmol), methanol
(3.0 mL), and K2CO3 (0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C
under N2 for 1 day. A red product, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (14.4 mg,
0.018 mmol, 73%), was collected.
Insertion of Rh(ttp)H to Formaldehyde. Rh(ttp)H (1d) was
prepared from Rh(ttp)Cl (4.3 mg, 0.006 mmol) according to
the literature procedure.23 Rh(ttp)H, benzene-d6 (500 μL), and
paraformaldehyde (2.1 mg, 0.06 mmol) were prepared in a
sealed NMR tube. A red solution was formed. The mixture
1
was analyzed by H NMR spectroscopy after approximately
5 min, and Rh(ttp)CH2OH was observed quantitatively. The
spectrum was compared with that reported in the literature.23
Reaction of Rh(ttp)CH2OH (0.025 mmol) with Methanol.
Rh(ttp)CH2OH and methanol (3.0 mL) were heated at 150 °C
under N2 for 1 day. Two red products, Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (18.5 mg,
0.023 mmol,94%) and Rh(ttp)CH2OCH3 (3) (<1%, NMR yield),
were collected, respectively.
Methyl Group Exchange Experiment, K2CO3. Rh(ttp)CH3
(19.6 mg, 0.025 mmol), methanol-d4 (3 mL), and K2CO3
(35.1 mg, 0.25 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for
1 day. A red starting material of Rh(ttp)CH3 (2a) (18.2 mg,
0.023 mmol, 93%) was recovered.
Acknowledgment. We thank the Research Grants
Council of the HKSAR, China, for financial support. This
paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor N. C. Yang.
Supporting Information Available: Tables and figures of crys-
tallographic data for complexes 2a-d3 and 3 (CIF and PDF),
1
sequence of reactions monitored by H NMR and 1H and 13
C
Methyl Group Exchange Experiment, KOH. Rh(ttp)CD3
(10.0 mg, 0.013 mmol), methanol (1.5 mL), and KOH (7.1 mg,
0.13 mmol) were heated at 150 °C under N2 for 1 day. A red mixture
NMR spectra. This material is available free of charge via the
Internet at http://pubs.acs.org.