'Grignard-analogous' rhodium phosphane complexes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.199705021

Interesting stoichiometric and catalytic reactions are possible with the rhodium phosphane complexes [{Ph₂P(CH₂)(n)PPh₂)(n)}₂Rh][MgC1] (1: a, n = 2; b, n = 3), which are readily accessible by reaction of the chloride complexes 2 with active magnesium. The 'Grignard-analogous' compounds 1 react to form 3 (E = H, Me SiMe₃) by protolysis, alkylation, and silylation. The interconversion of complexes 2a and 1a can be used for catalytic transfer of two electrons from magnesium to CO₂ to yield CO and CO₃/²⁺.