Synthesis, structure determination and catalytic activity of (+)-cis->-bisdirhodium

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(91)86060-4

The title compound, 5, which is the first dirhodium complex to contain both arsenic and a chiral substituent, has been synthesized from 2(μ-Cl)2, As(^tBu)3 and (+)-(neomenthanethio)trimethylsilane.The complex was found to catalyze the hydrogenation of methyl N-acetamidocinamate, albeit with low enantioselectivity.X-Ray diffraction studies revealed that 5 exists in the crystal as a pair of epimers.