Insertion of SO2 into the metal-carbon bonds of rhodium and iridium compounds, and reactivity of the SO2-inserted species

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om971030m

Sulfur dioxide has been found to insert into the metal-carbon bonds of both rhodium and iridium alkyl and aryl complexes. The sulfinate ligand can be removed with a strong acid such as HCl, generating free sulfinic acid. Acids with weakly coordinating anions protonate the sulfinate oxygen, but the sulfinic acid remains bound to the metal center. Added sulfinic acids can exchange with the coordinated sulfinate group.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/om971030m

1420
Organometallics 1998, 17, 1420-1425
In ser tion of SO2 in to th e Meta l-Ca r bon Bon d s of
Rh od iu m a n d Ir id iu m Com p ou n d s, a n d Rea ctivity of th e
SO2-In ser ted Sp ecies
Laurent Lefort, Rene J . Lachicotte, and William D. J ones*
Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627
Received November 21, 1997
Sulfur dioxide has been found to insert into the metal-carbon bonds of both rhodium and
iridium alkyl and aryl complexes. The sulfinate ligand can be removed with a strong acid
such as HCl, generating free sulfinic acid. Acids with weakly coordinating anions protonate
the sulfinate oxygen, but the sulfinic acid remains bound to the metal center. Added sulfinic
acids can exchange with the coordinated sulfinate group.
In tr od u ction
The insertion of SO2 into M-C bonds has been
studied extensively during the 1960’s and 1970’s.1
Many transition-metal alkyl and aryl complexes have
been shown to undergo this reaction, and several types
of linkages have been observed. A mechanism has been
proposed that still holds in the majority of cases.1a
While current interest in this reaction has decreased,
SO2 remains the subject of numerous studies2 because
of its diverse coordination properties and its role in acid
rain production.
In this paper, we present two new systems that are
able to cleanly insert SO2 into their M-C bonds. Both
are based on group VIII metal complexes containing an
aryl or alkyl ligand. The reactivities of the SO2-inserted
species have been studied, and we have shown that it
is possible to release the RSO2 group from the metal to
form sulfinic acids.
F igu r e 1. ORTEP drawing of Cp*Rh(PMe3)(SO2Ph)(Cl),
2a . Ellipsoids are shown at the 30% level.
Crystals of 2a have been obtained by layering a
solution of 2a in methylene chloride with hexane. The
X-ray structure (Figure 1) shows that SO2 insertion has
occurred into the C-M bond in a [1,1] fashion, giving a
S-sulfinate (eq 1). Crystallographic data are listed in
Resu lts a n d Discu ssion
SO2 In ser tion in to Rh od iu m Com p lexes. Addi-
tion of 1 atm of SO2 to a solution of Cp*Rh(PMe3)-
(Cl)(C6H5) (1a ) in CH2Cl2 leads to the quantitative
formation (based on the NMR) of a new product (2a )
after 4 h at room temperature. The orange solution does
not change color during the course of the reaction, and
no intermediates can be seen while monitoring the
1
1
reaction by H NMR spectroscopy. The H NMR spec-
trum of the product 2a exhibits both Cp* and PMe3
resonances, but in contrast to the spectrum of the
starting material, the PMe3 resonance (δ 1.70) appears
downfield relative to the Cp* peak (δ 1.50). In the
aromatic region of the spectrum, two multiplets are
observed at δ 7.39 and 7.89. The 31P NMR spectrum of
2a has a doublet with J Rh-P ) 140 Hz, consistent with
a Rh(III) compound.3
Table 1, and selected distances and angles are given in
Table 2.
A solution of Cp*Rh(PMe3)(Cl)(CH3) (1b) in CH2Cl2
was found to undergo a similar reaction in the presence
of 1 atm of SO2. Despite the absence of a color change,
1H NMR spectroscopy shows the complete disappear-
ance of the starting material after 10 min at room
temperature and the clean formation of a new product
(1) (a) Wojcicki, A. Adv. Organomet. Chem. 1974, 12, 31. (b)
Alexander, J . J . In The Chemistry of Metal Carbon Bond; Patai, S.,
Ed.; Wiley: New York, 1985; Vol. 2. (c) Wong, C. W.; Kitching, W. J .
Organomet. Chem. 1970, 22, 102. (d) Gupta, B. D.; Roy, M.; Oberoi,
M.; Dixit, V. J . Organomet. Chem. 1992, 430, 197-204. (e) J oseph, M.
F.; Baird M. C. Inorg. Chim. Acta 1985, 96, 229-230.
1
(2b). The H NMR spectrum of 2b shows both Cp* and
PMe3 resonances. The CH3 resonance in 2b appears as
(2) Kubas, J . K. Acc. Chem. Res. 1994, 27, 183-190.
(3) Klingert, B.; Werner, H. Chem. Ber. 1983, 116, 1450-1462.
S0276-7333(97)01030-3 CCC: $15.00 © 1998 American Chemical Society
Publication on Web 03/05/1998

Insertion into M-C Bonds of Rh and Ir Compounds
Organometallics, Vol. 17, No. 7, 1998 1421
Ta ble 1. Su m m a r y of Cr ysta llogr a p h ic Da ta for 2a , 2b, a n d 6
2a
2b
6
Crystal Parameters
C14H27ClO2PRhS
chem formula
fw
C
19H29ClO2PRhS
C17H30F3IrNO5PS2
672.71
490.81
428.75
cryst syst
space group
Z
orthorhombic
P212121 (No. 19)
4
orthorhombic
Pna21 (No. 33)
4
tetragonal
I41/a (No. 88)
16
a, Å
b, Å
9.9742(6)
14.3780(9)
15.1600(9)
2174.1(2)
1.50
24.511(4)
8.5740(13)
8.5845(13)
1804.1(5)
1.58
16.9846(4)
16.9846(4)
33.4343(11)
9645.0(5)
1.853
c, Å
vol., Å3
F
calc, g cm-3
cryst dimens, mm
temp, °C
0.29 × 0.35 × 0.35
0.36 × 0.38 × 0.40
0.20 × 0.30 × 0.40
-80
-80
-80
Measurement of Intensity Data
diffractometer
radiation
2θ range, deg
data collected
Siemens SMART
Mo KR, 0.710 73
4.0-56.4
-12 e h e 13, -12 e k e 18,
-20 e l e 18
11 506
4960
0.024
4721 (I > 2σ(I))
227
1.088
empirical (SADABS)
0.87-1.00
0.0250, 0.0597
0.0274, 0.0606
1.15
Siemens SMART
Mo KR, 0.710 73
3.4-56.4
-32 e h e 32, -11 e k e 11,
-6 e l e 11
10 802
3246
0.037
2969 (I > 2σ(I))
181
1.298
empirical (SADABS)
0.76-0.93
0.0396, 0.0663
0.0455, 0.0678
1.21
Siemens SMART
Mo KR, 0.710 73
2.7-56.6
-21 e h e 22, -16 e k e 22,
-44 e l e 41
28 131
5816
0.047
5137 (I > 2σ(I))
272
5.827
empirical (SADABS)
0.63-0.93
0.0816, 0.1869
0.0955, 0.1920
1.48
no. of data collected
no. of unique data
agreement between equiv data
no. of obsd data
no. of params varied
µ, cm-1
abs corr
range of trans. factors
R1(Fo), wR2(Fo2), (I > 2σ(I))
R1(Fo), wR2(Fo2) (all data)
goodness of fit
Ta ble 2. Selected Dista n ces (Å) a n d An gles (d eg)
for 2a , 2b, a n d 6
2a , M ) Rh
2b, M ) Rh
6, M ) Ir
Distances
2.3161(6)
1.467(2)
1.468(2)
1.808(3)
M-S(1)
2.3266(13)
1.463(4)
1.442(5)
1.805(7)
2.2989(14)
2.405(2)
2.334(3)
1.477(9)
1.466(9)
1.782(13)
2.317(3)
2.031(9)
S(1)-O(1)
S(1)-O(2)
S(1)-C(14)
M-P(1)
2.3077(6)
2.4019(6)
M-Cl(1) or M-N(1)
Angles
115.64(9)
109.49(9)
102.91(12)
112.97(14)
102.91(12)
103.63(13)
88.14(2)
M-S(1)-O(1)
M-S(1)-O(2)
M-S(1)-C(14)
O(1)-S(1)-O(2)
O(1)-S(1)-C(14)
O(2)-S(1)-C(14)
P(1)-M-S(1)
115.8(2)
111.0(2)
106.8(2)
113.2(3)
104.3(3)
104.6(3)
88.53(5)
113.6(4)
111.3(4)
109.9(5)
113.1(6)
105.3(7)
102.9(6)
89.64(11)
a singlet instead of a doublet of doublets, and its
chemical shift (δ 2.83) is close to that observed for
methane sulfinic acid (δ 2.68), CH3SO2H. The coupling
constant of the doublet observed in the 31P spectrum of
2b (J Rh-P ) 144 Hz) shows that no change in the
oxidation state of the metal has taken place during the
reaction.
Again, crystals have been grown from slow diffusion
of hexane into a methylene chloride solution of 2b. The
crystal structure (Figure 2) confirms the formation of a
S-sulfinate. Crystallographic data are given in Table
1, and selected distances and angles are given in Table
2.
In both of these 18-electron, coordinatively saturated
complexes, the insertion of SO2 into the carbon-metal
bond occurs selectively to give S-bound sulfinates. The
mechanism of insertion likely involves the electrophilic
attack of SO2 on the M-C bond, as postulated for
several similar compounds.1a Consistent with this
mechanism is the fact that the reaction is much faster
F igu r e 2. ORTEP drawing of Cp*Rh(PMe3)(SO2CH3)(Cl),
2b. Ellipsoids are shown at the 30% level.
with the methyl complex than with the phenyl complex
(the latter being more sterically hindered for a backside
attack and less electron-donating).
SO2 In ser tion in to Ir id iu m Com p lexes. As an
analogue of complex 1b, the iridium complex Cp*Ir-
(PMe3)(Cl)(CH3) (3) has been synthesized and reacted
with 1 atm of SO2 in CH2Cl2 at room temperature. The
reaction is not clean and gives several unidentified
compounds. This behavior is different from that ob-
served with Rh and might result from the instability of
3, which tends to disproportionate into a mixture of the
iridium dimethyl and dichloride complexes upon stand-
ing in solution. SO2 insertion could then also occur into
the dimethyl complex, leading either to the mono or the
bis S-sulfinate, and thereby accounting for the mixture
of products obtained.

1422 Organometallics, Vol. 17, No. 7, 1998
Lefort et al.
R ea ct ion of SO2 In ser t ion Com p lexes of R h o-
d iu m w ith Acid s. As the SO2 insertion reaction
represents a way to functionalize an alkyl or aryl group
bound to a metal, the release of the sulfinate group was
also investigated previously. In the case of Mn com-
pounds, this has been accomplished by oxidative de-
metalation.6 The SO2-inserted species was reacted with
H2O2, leading to the formation of MnO2 and a mixture
of sulfinate and sulfonate products. The breaking of the
metal-sulfur bond can also be induced by reacting the
SO2-inserted compound with an acid, as seen in the case
of alkyl-copper reagents, to give the corresponding
sulfinic acids.7
When 2a or 2b is reacted with aqueous HCl in THF
1
solution, the H NMR spectrum shows the quantitative
formation of Cp*Rh(PMe3)(Cl)2 and free sulfinic acid,
RSO2H (R ) C6H5 for 2a , R ) CH3 for 2b) (eq 3).
F igu r e 3. ORTEP drawing of [Cp*Rh(PMe3)(SO2CH3)-
(CH3CN)]+[OTf]-, 6. Ellipsoids are shown at the 30% level.
The triflate ligand has been omitted for clarity.
Cp*Ir(PMe3)(OTf)(CH3) (4) is very similar to 3 but is
more stable toward disproportionation. Indeed, one way
to synthesize this compound is to react 1 equiv of Cp*Ir-
(PMe3)(CH3)2 with 1 equiv of Cp*Ir(PMe3)(OTf)2.4 When
a solution of 4 in CH2Cl2 is put under an atmosphere of
SO2 at room temperature, the orange solution im-
Cp*Rh(PMe3)(Cl)2 was identified by its 1H and 31P
spectra. Authentic samples of the sulfinic acids were
synthesized from their commercially available Na salts,
1
1
and their H NMR spectra matched with those obtained
mediately turns yellow. The H NMR spectrum shows
in the reaction of 2a or 2b with aqueous HCl. The
reactions between the Rh compounds and HCl are not
a simple ligand substitution by chloride ion. No reaction
has been observed between 2a or 2b and a chloride
source such as NaCl.
the quantitative formation of a new product (5), with
both Cp* and PMe3 resonances. As in the case of the
phenylrhodium compound 2a , the PMe3 resonance of 5
(δ 1.79) appears downfield relative to the Cp* peak (δ
1.75) and the CH3 peak appears as a singlet at δ 2.77
ppm, close to a methyl resonance in methane sulfinic
acid. These spectroscopic observations provide good
evidence for 5 being the SO2-inserted compound. Due
to its lack of stability, however, crystals of 5 have not
been obtained.
Nevertheless, the anion of the acid plays a crucial role
in the formation of free sulfinic acid. Indeed, the use
of acids with noncoordinating anions such as HOTf
(HOTF ) CF3SO3H, triflic acid) or HBF4 does not lead
to the production of free sulfinic acids. The orange
solution of (2b) in methylene chloride gradually turns
red as an increasing amount of triflic acid is added. The
1H NMR spectrum shows the chemical shift of the
methyl group progressively moving downfield according
to the amount of added triflic acid, up to 1 equiv of added
acid. Addition of more than 1 equiv of acid results in
no further change in the chemical shift. Small changes
are also observed in the chemical shifts of the Cp* and
PMe3 resonances upon addition of triflic acid, but the
most obvious change is a broadening of the resonances.
This effect becomes even more obvious in the 31P NMR
spectrum, where the well-resolved doublet is replaced
by a broad hump upon addition of 1.5 equiv of triflic
acid.
Acetonitrile has been observed to be capable of
displacing the labile triflate ligand in other organo-
metallic systems.5 Reaction of 5 with an excess of
CH3CN in CH2Cl2 leads to an immediate color change
of the solution from yellow to colorless. Removal of the
excess of acetonitrile under vacuum leaves a white solid
1
(6). The H NMR spectrum of 6 is consistent with an
acetonitrile adduct, exhibiting two methyl resonances
(3 H each) in the region 2.5-3 ppm (δ 2.98, s; 2.82, d, J
) 1.6 Hz). 6 is much more stable than 5, and crystals
have been grown from toluene solution at -40 °C. The
crystal structure of 6 (Figure 3) shows that SO2 has
inserted in a [1,1] fashion into the M-C bond of 4.
Crystallographic data are listed in the Table 1, and
selected distances are listed in Table 2. Equation 2
summarizes the reaction sequence. It is interesting to
The compound formed by reacting 2b with 1 equiv of
triflic acid, 7a , is not the chloro-triflate complex,
Cp*Rh(PMe3)(Cl)(OTf) (8). This latter compound can
be synthesized independently by reaction of the methyl
chloride complex Cp*Rh(PMe3)(Cl)(CH3) with 1 equiv
of triflic acid and displays different NMR resonances
to those of 7a .
(5) Stang, P. J .; Huang, Y.-H.; Arif, A. M. Organometallics 1992,
11, 231-237.
note that despite its lability, the triflate ligand is not
displaced by SO2.
(6) Cooney, J . M.; Depree, C. V.; Main, L.; Nicholson, B. K. J .
Organomet. Chem. 1996, 515, 109-118.
(7) Cahiez, G.; Bernard, D.; Normant, J . F.; Villiers, J . J . Organomet.
Chem. 1976, 121, 123-126.
(4) Burger, P.; Bergman, R. G. J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 10462.

Insertion into M-C Bonds of Rh and Ir Compounds
Organometallics, Vol. 17, No. 7, 1998 1423
Sch em e 1
Upon addition of 2 equiv of HBF4 to a solution of 2b
in CH2Cl2, a compound, 7b, with NMR properties
similar to those of 7a can be produced. The chemical
shift of the methyl group in 7b (δ 3.23) is the same as
that for 7a , and its 31P NMR spectrum also appears as
a broad hump. This last experiment suggests that the
anion (OTf- for 7a , BF4- for 7b) might not be bound to
the metal. Were this not the case, a greater difference
1
would be expected in the H spectra of 7a and 7b.
Reaction of 7a or 7b with an excess of dry Et3N
regenerates 2b. Consequently, it appears the com-
pounds 7a and 7b are protonated derivatives of 2b, the
protonation being reversible in the presence of a base.
1
No hydride resonances were observed in the H NMR
spectra of 7a and 7b, showing that the protonation does
not occur directly on the metal. The most likely position
for protonation in the complexes are the oxygens of the
sulfinate group, giving an acidic proton, which is
consistent with an observed broad peak at chemical
shifts between 10 and 13 ppm. The possibility of an
interaction between the oxygen of a RSO2 group bound
to a metal and a Lewis acid has been previously
observed by Wojcicki.8 The W complex CpW(CO)3(S(O)2-
CH3) forms a 1:1 adduct with BF3, formulated as
CpW(CO)3(S(O)(OBF3)CH3). These arguments lead to
the proposed formulation for 7a or 7b as Cp*Rh-
(Cp*Rh(PMe3)(Cl)2) was a stable species, unable to bind
the free methane sulfinic acid. In the second case
(HOTf, HBF4), the inability to form a strong bond
between the metal and the labile counterion prevented
the release of free sulfinic acid. A third case can be
imagined corresponding to an intermediate situation,
where the Rh compound formed after reaction with the
acid can back-react with the free sulfinic acid, leading
to an equilibrium between free and bound acids. To
observe such behavior, it would be necessary to use a
counterion that can bind to the metal with a bond
(PMe3)(Cl)(S(O)(OH)CH3)+X- (X- ) OTf- for 7a , BF4
-
for 7b). In these complexes, the change in the chemical
shift of the methyl group with added acid can be
explained by a rapid exchange of the proton between
the protonated and the nonprotonated species (eq 4).
energy close to that of the methyl sulfinic acid.
A
different sulfinic acid nicely fulfills this requirement.
The addition of 1.1 equiv of phenyl sulfinic acid to a
solution of 2b in CH2Cl2 gives, after 2 h of reaction, a
mixture with a constant composition containing 2a , 2b,
methane sulfinic acid, and phenyl sulfinic acid. All
products can be identified by their 1H NMR spectra.
Integration allows calculation of an equilibrium con-
stant, Keq, of 0.59. The addition of more phenyl sulfinic
acid leads to the consumption of more 2b, and a similar
value for the equilibrium constant is obtained (Keq
)
0.57) once the composition of the mixture stops chang-
ing. This behavior confirms the existence of the equi-
librium in eq 5.
In the rapid exchange limit, the peak for the methyl
group will appear at a position intermediate between
that in the protonated species and the nonprotonated
species. When more than 1 equiv of acid has been
added, all the species will be protonated but rapid
exchange with the excess acid can occur.
Independent synthesis of 7a confirms this formula-
tion. Addition of 1 equiv of methane sulfinic acid to a
solution of chloro triflate compound 8 in CH2Cl2 leads
to an immediate color change from red to orange. The
1H and 31P NMR spectra indicate that 7a is quantita-
tively formed. If the sodium salt of methane sulfinic
acid is used instead of the acid, compound 2b is
quantitatively formed overnight, showing again that 2b
and 7a differ by only a proton. A summary of these
reactions are shown in Scheme 1.
The equilibrium constant obtained can be compared
to that for the equilibrium between the sulfinic acids
and their conjugate bases (eq 6). Note that the Keq for
The above results show that the reaction of 2b with
an acid can follow two different pathways depending on
the coordination properties of the acid counterion. In
the first case (HCl), the rhodium compound formed
the rhodium-bound sulfinate is about 20 times smaller
than the equilibrium constant obtained for the pure
acids. This difference can be attributed to the difference
in rhodium-sulfur bond strengths in 2a vs 2b and
consequently shows that the methyl sulfinate bond is
stronger than the phenyl sulfinate bond.
(8) Severson, R. G.; Wojcicki, A. J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1979, 101, 877-
883.

1424 Organometallics, Vol. 17, No. 7, 1998
Lefort et al.
Rea ction of Cp *Rh (P Me3)(CH3)(Cl) (1b) w ith SO2.
Complex 2b was obtained similar to 2a by reaction of
Cp*Rh(PMe3)(CH3)(Cl) (1b) with 1 atm of SO2 in CD2Cl2. The
reaction goes to completion in 10 min at room temperature
and is quantitative by NMR spectroscopy. 1H NMR (400 MHz,
CD2Cl2): δ 1.63 (d, J P-H ) 11.6 Hz, PMe3), 1.70 (d, J P-H ) 3.2
Hz, Cp*), 2.83 (s, CH3). 31P NMR (400 MHz, CD2Cl2): δ 11.24
(d, J Rh-P ) 144 Hz). Anal. Calcd for C14H27ClO2PRhS: C,
39.21; H, 6.30. Found: C, 39.00; H, 6.31.
Rea ction of Cp *Ir (P Me3)(CH3)(OTf) (4) w ith SO2. The
procedure is the same as for 1a , except that the pressure of
SO2 was reduced to 10-20 cmHg. A quantitative yield
(according to NMR) of Cp*Ir(PMe3)(SO2CH3)(OTf) (5) was
obtained after a few minutes of reaction. 1H NMR (400 MHz,
CD2Cl2): δ 1.75 (d, J P-H ) 2.0 Hz, Cp*), 1.79 (d, J P-H ) 11.6
Hz, PMe3), 2.77 (s, CH3). 31P NMR (400 MHz, CD2Cl2): δ
-17.32 (s).
Reaction of Cp*Ir (P Me3)(SO2CH3)(OTf) (5) with CH3CN.
A 5 µL amount of dry, oxygen-free acetonitrile (0.09 mmol)
was added to a solution of Cp*Ir(PMe3)(S(O)2CH3)(OTf) (5) (22
mg, 0.03 mmol) in CH2Cl2-d2 under an inert atmosphere.
Immediate and complete conversion of 5 into Cp*Ir(PMe3)-
(CH3CN)(S(O)2CH3)+OTf- (6) was observed by NMR spectros-
copy. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD2Cl2): δ 1.82 (d, J P-H ) 11.6 Hz,
PMe3), 1.83 (d, J P-H ) 2.0 Hz, Cp*), 2.82 (d, J P-H ) 1.6 Hz,
CH3), 2.98 (s, CH3). 31P NMR (400 MHz, CD2Cl2): δ -28.95
(s). Anal. Calcd for C17H30F3IrNO5PS2: C, 30.36; H, 4.46.
Found: C, 30.44; H, 4.49.
Rea ction of 2a a n d 2b w ith HCl. To a solution of 2a or
2b (5 mg, 0.01 mmol) in THF-d8 was added 0.1 mL of aqueous
concentrated HCl (12.5 M, 1.25 mmol). An NMR spectrum
taken after a few minutes of reaction shows the clean and
complete formation of (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(Cl)2 and free sulfinic
acid RSO2H (R ) CH3 or C6H5). The sulfinic acids were
independently synthesized by reaction of their sodium salts
with aqueous concentrated HCl in THF. For CH3SO2H, 1H
NMR (400 MHz, THF): δ 2.55 (s, CH3). For C6H5SO2H, 1H
NMR (400 MHz, THF): δ 7.47-7.53 (m, 3 H), 7.63-7.68 (m,
2 H).
Con clu sion
Two new transition-metal compounds have been
found to undergo a clean SO2 insertion in their M-C
bonds. For both of these compounds, the reaction occurs
under mild conditions (room temperature, 1 atm of SO2)
and appears to be quantitative. The reactions of the
Rh-inserted species with different kinds of acids allows
us to propose the following mechanism for the formation
of free sulfinic acids. The first step involves the pro-
tonation of one of the oxygens of the SO2 group. The
coordinated RS(O)(OH) group (a sulfinic acid) is much
more labile than the sulfinate group and can be dis-
placed in a second step by the acid counterion, provided
the latter exhibits some coordination properties toward
the metal. Depending upon the acid reagent, it has been
possible to obtain a sulfinic acid either free in solution
or bound to the rhodium as a ligand.
Exp er im en ta l Section
Gen er a l Con sid er a tion s. All manipulations were per-
formed under an N2 atmosphere, either on a high-vacuum line
using modified Schlenk techniques or in a Vacuum Atmo-
spheres Corp. glovebox. Tetrahydrofuran, benzene, and tolu-
ene were distilled from dark purple solutions of benzophenone
ketyl. Acetonitrile was distilled from a solution of CaH2.
Alkane solvents were made olefin-free by stirring over H2SO4,
washing with aqueous KMnO4 and water, and distilling from
dark purple solutions of tetraglyme/benzophenone ketyl. Di-
chloromethane-d2 was purchased from Cambridge Isotope
Lab., dried over CaH2, distilled under vacuum, and stored in
ampules with Teflon-sealed vacuum line adaptors. The prepa-
rations of Cp*Rh(PMe3)(CH3)(Cl),9 Cp*Rh(PMe3)(Ph)(Cl),9
Cp*Ir(PMe3)(CH3)(Cl),10 and Cp*Ir(PMe3)(CH3)(OTf)4 have
been previously reported. CH3SO2Na, PhSO2Na, CF3SO3H,
and HBF4 were purchased from Aldrich Chemical Co. SO2 was
purchased from Air Products and Chemicals Inc. and used
without further purification.
All 1H NMR and 31P NMR spectra were recorded on a
Bruker AMX400 spectrometer. All 1H chemical shifts are
reported in ppm (δ) relative to tetramethylsilane and refer-
enced using the chemical shifts of residual solvent resonances
(C6H6, δ 7.15). 31P NMR spectra were referenced to external
30% H3PO4 (δ 0.0). Analyses were obtained from Desert
Analytics. A Siemens SMART CCD area detector diffractom-
eter equipped with an LT-2 low-temperature unit was used
for X-ray crystal structure determination.
R ea ct ion of Cp *R h (P Me3)(S(O)2CH 3)(Cl) (2b ) w it h
HOTf. Increasing amounts of triflic acid (from 1.6 (0.02 mmol)
to 6.4 µL (0.07 mmol)) were added to a solution of 2b (17 mg,
0.04 mmol) in 1 mL of CD2Cl2. The changes in the chemical
shift of the methyl in the sulfinate group were as follows:
equiv of HOTf
0
0.5
0.7
0.9
1.2
1.8
δ (CH3) (ppm)
2.82
3.08
3.19
3.27
3.27
3.26
The addition of excess HOTf resulted in the formation of a
new compound formulated as Cp*Rh(PMe3)(S(O)(OH)-
CH3)(Cl)+OTf- (7a ). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD2Cl2): δ 1.67 (d,
J P-H ) 12 Hz, PMe3), 1.74 (d, J P-H ) 2.4 Hz, Cp*), 3.27 (s,
CH3), 13.04 (br s, H+). 31P NMR (400 MHz, CD2Cl2): δ 10.77
(br d, J Rh-P ) 133 Hz).
Rea ction of Cp *Rh (P Me3)(P h )(Cl) (1a ) w ith SO2. A 13
mg (0.03 mmol) amount of Cp*Rh(PMe3)(Ph)(Cl) (1a ) was
dissolved in about 1 mL of dry, oxygen-free CH2Cl2-d2. The
solution was put into an NMR tube equipped with a Teflon
seal and connected to a high-vacuum line. The solution was
frozen and freeze-pump-thaw-degassed 3 times. The high-
vacuum line was filled with 1 atm of SO2, and the NMR tube
was briefly opened to the SO2 atmosphere. After 4 h at room
temperature, 1a had been quantitatively converted to
Cp*Rh(PMe3)(S(O)2Ph)(Cl) (2a ), as determined by NMR spec-
troscopy. The product was isolated by removal of the solvent
under vacuum and recrystallized from CH2Cl2/hexane. 1H
NMR (400 MHz, CD2Cl2): δ 1.50 (d, J P-H ) 3.2 Hz, Cp*), 1.70
(dd, J P,Rh-H ) 11.6, 0.8 Hz, PMe3), aromatic resonances 7.35-
7.42 (m, 3H), 7.86-7.91 (m, 2H). 31P NMR (400 MHz,
CD2Cl2): δ 10.44 (d, J Rh-P ) 140 Hz). Anal. Calcd for
R ea ct ion of Cp *R h (P Me3)(S(O)2CH 3)(Cl) (2b ) w it h
HBF 4. A 7.5 µL amount of HBF4‚O(C2H5)2 (85%, 0.04 mmol)
was added to a solution of 10 mg (0.02 mmol) of Cp*Rh-
(PMe3)(S(O)2CH3)(Cl) (2b) in CD2Cl2, giving a new compound
-
Cp*Rh(PMe3)(S(O)(OH)CH3)(Cl)+BF4 (7b). 1H NMR (400
MHz, CD2Cl2): δ 1.67 (d, J P-H ) 11.6 Hz, PMe3), 1.74 (d, J P-H
) 2.4 Hz, Cp*), 3.23 (s, CH3), 9.13 (br s, OH). 31P NMR
(CD2Cl2): δ 10.09 (br s).
R ea ct ion of Cp *R h (P Me3)(S(O)2CH 3)(Cl) (2b ) w it h
P h en yl Su lfin ic Acid . A 2 mg (0.014 mmol) amount of
C6H5SO2H was added to a solution of 5.4 mg (0.013 mmol) of
Cp*Rh(PMe3)(S(O)2CH3)(Cl) (2b ) in CH2Cl2-d2. Cp*Rh-
(PMe3)(S(O)2C6H5)(Cl) (2a ) and CH3SO2H were formed. After
2 h at room temperature, the composition of the solution did
not change, allowing determination of a value for the equilib-
C
19H29ClO2PRhS: C, 46.48; H, 5.91. Found: C, 46.49; H, 5.88.
(9) J ones, W. D.; Feher, F. J . Inorg. Chem. 1984, 23, 2376-2388.
(10) Buchanan, J . M.; Stryker, J . F.; Bergman, R. G. J . Am. Chem.
Soc. 1986, 108, 1537-1550.

Insertion into M-C Bonds of Rh and Ir Compounds
Organometallics, Vol. 17, No. 7, 1998 1425
rium constant (Keq ) 0.59) by integration of the NMR peaks.
The addition of more phenyl sulfinic acid (1 mg, 0.007 mmol)
led to a change in the composition of the mixture. After 2 h,
the composition of the mixture remained constant and a second
value for the equilibrium constant was calculated (Keq ) 0.57).
R ea ct ion of Cp *R h (P Me3)(CH3)(Cl) (1b ) w it h Tr iflic
Acid . A 3.1 µL amount of triflic acid (0.035 mmol) was added
to a solution of 12.6 mg (0.035 mmol) of Cp*Rh(PMe3)(CH3)(Cl)
(1b) in CH2Cl2-d2 at room temperature. The orange solution
turned red immediately. The NMR spectra showed the
complete formation of Cp*Rh(PMe3)(Cl)(OTf) (8). 1H NMR
(400 MHz, CD2Cl2): δ 1.60 (d, J P-H ) 11.6 Hz, PMe3), 1.66 (d,
collected over 4 h, yielding 10 802 observed data after integra-
tion using SAINT (see Table 1). Laue symmetry revealed an
orthorhombic crystal system, and cell parameters were deter-
mined from 6645 unique reflections.11 An absorption correc-
tion was applied using SADABS. The space group was
assigned as Pna21 on the basis of systematic absences using
XPREP, and the structure was solved and refined using the
SHELX95 package. For a Z value of 4, there is one independ-
ent molecule within the asymmetric unit. In the final model,
all non-hydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically (on F2),
with hydrogens included in idealized locations. Final agree-
ment factors were R1 ) 0.0396 and wR2 ) 0.0663.12 Frac-
tional coordinates and thermal parameters are given in the
Supporting Information.
X-r a y Str u ctu r a l Deter m in a tion of [(C5Me5)Ir (P Me3)-
(SO2P h )(CH3CN)]OTf, 6. Data collection and structure
solution was similar to that described for 2a . Data (1.3
hemispheres) were collected over 7 h, yielding 28 131 observed
data after integration using SAINT (see Table 1). Laue
symmetry revealed a tetragonal crystal system, and cell
parameters were determined from 7682 unique reflections.11
An absorption correction was applied using SADABS. The
space group was assigned as I41/a on the basis of systematic
absences using XPREP, and the structure was solved and
refined using the SHELX95 package. For a Z value of 16,
there is one independent molecule within the asymmetric unit.
In the final model, all non-hydrogen atoms were refined
anisotropically (on F2), with hydrogens included in idealized
locations. The triflate counterion was found to be disordered
over two locations. In addition, the triflate was found to lie
on a 2-fold axis (bisecting the S-C bond), resulting in a
rotational disorder that superimposed the CF3 and SO3 groups.
The CF3 group showed a 3-fold disorder. In the final model,
the positions of the CF3 and SO3 groups were constrained to
be identical but the atomic positions were permitted to refine
along with their thermal parameters. The correct enantio-
morph was assigned based upon the value of the Flack
parameter (0.02(5)). Final agreement factors were R1 )
0.0816 and wR2 ) 0.1869.12 Fractional coordinates and
thermal parameters are given in the Supporting Information.
J P-H ) 3.2 Hz, Cp*). 31P NMR (CD2Cl2): δ 8.59 (d, J Rh-P
)
142 Hz). The addition of excess CH3SO2H to 8 in dichloro-
methane led to the immediate formation of 7a at room temper-
ature, but 2 days were necessary to form 2b by reaction of 8
with excess CH3SO2Na at room temperature in dichloro-
methane.
X-r a y Str u ctu r a l Deter m in a tion of (C5Me5)Rh (P Me3)-
(SO2P h )Cl, 2a . Golden orange crystals were obtained by
layering a CH2Cl2 solution of 2a with hexanes. A single crystal
was mounted on a glass fiber with Paratone N. Data were
collected at -80 °C on a Siemens SMART CCD area detector
system employing a 3 kW sealed-tube X-ray source operating
at 1.5 kW. Data (1.3 hemispheres) were collected over 7 h,
yielding 11 506 observed data after integration using SAINT
(see Table 1). Laue symmetry revealed an orthorhombic
crystal system, and cell parameters were determined from
8192 unique reflections.11 An absorption correction was ap-
plied using SADABS. The space group was assigned as
P212121 on the basis of systematic absences using XPREP, and
the structure was solved and refined using the SHELX95
package. For a Z value of 4, there is one independent molecule
within the asymmetric unit. In the final model, all non-
hydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically (on F2), with
hydrogens included in idealized locations. The acentric struc-
ture was refined as a racemic twin (0.32/0.68), as the Flack
parameter deviated substantially from zero in the initial
refinement. Final agreement factors were R1 ) 0.0250 and
wR2 ) 0.0597.12 Fractional coordinates and thermal param-
eters are given in the Supporting Information.
Ack n ow led gm en t is made to the U.S. Department
of Energy (Grant No. FG02-86ER13569) for their sup-
port of this work. L.L. also thanks Elf Atochem, N. A.,
for financial support.
X-r a y Str u ctu r a l Deter m in a tion of (C5Me5)Rh (P Me3)-
(SO2CH3)Cl, 2b. Data collection and structure solution was
similar to that described for 2a . Data (1.3 hemispheres) were
(11) It has been noted that the integration program SAINT produces
cell constant errors that are unreasonably small, since systematic error
is not included. More reasonable errors might be estimated at 10 times
the listed values.
Su p p or tin g In for m a tion Ava ila ble: Tables of bond
distances and angles, atomic positions, and thermal param-
eters for 2a , 2b, and 6 (22 pages). Ordering information is
given on any masthead page.
(12) Using the SHELX95 package, R1 ) (∑||Fo| - |Fc||)/∑|Fo|, wR2
) [∑[w(Fo - Fc2)2]/∑[w(Fo2)2]}1/2, where w ) 1/[σ2(Fo2) + (aP)2 + bP]
2
and P ) [f (max of 0 or Fo2) + (1 - f)Fc2].
OM971030M