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Photochemical carbonylation of benzene by iridium(I) and rhodium(I) square-planar complexes

Journal Article · · Organometallics; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/om00100a007· OSTI ID:5913280

The photochemical carbonylation of unfunctionalized arene C-H bonds is catalyzed by various d/sup 8/ complexes under low CO pressure at ambient temperature. The carbonylation of benzene to benzaldehyde is achieved by using IrH(CO)/sub 2/(dppe), IrH/sub 3/(CO)(dppe), or IrBr(CO)(dppe) as the catalyst, and the photoactive species in each case appears to be IrX(CO)(dppe) (X = H or Br). The monodentate phosphine complexes MCl(CO)(PPh/sub 3/)/sub 2/ (M = Rh, Ir) exhibit similar photochemical activity leading to benzene carbonylation. In all cases the amount of benzaldehyde formed is limited by thermodynamics with /Delta/G/sub 298//degree/ = +1.7 kcal. When RhCl(CO)(PPh/sub 3/)/sub 2/ is placed under /sup 13/CO with PhCHO, photochemical decarbonylation is achieved along with significant /sup 13/CO incorporation into the aldehyde, confirming the occurrence of both carbonylation and decarbonylation. Both processes are thought to involve the same initial photochemical step of ligand dissociation to generate a 14e intermediate.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Rochester, NY (USA)
OSTI ID:
5913280
Journal Information:
Organometallics; (United States), Journal Name: Organometallics; (United States) Vol. 7:10; ISSN ORGND
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English