Dirhodium(II) complexes of 2-(sulfonylimino)pyrrolidine: Synthesis and application in catalytic benzylic oxidation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ejoc.201200292

A new class of dirhodium(II) tetraamidinates derived from 2-(sulfonylimino)pyrrolidines has been prepared through ligand substitution by using dirhodium(II) acetate, in which (3,1) geometric isomers are formed predominantly. Among these complexes, (3,1)-Rh₂(Msip)₄, exhibits good catalytic performance in benzylic oxidation. In the presence of (3,1)-Rh₂(Msip)₄ a variety of benzylic derivatives, including strongly electron-deficient arylalkanes such as 1-ethyl-4- nitrobenzene, are readily oxidized in water by the inexpensive oxidant T-HYDRO (70 wt.-% aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide). Copyright