Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes containing amino acid ester ligands: synthesis, reactivity and DFT studies

Abstract

Bridge-splitting reaction of the dimer [Rh(CO)2Cl]2 with two molar equivalents of amino acid ester ligands yield the rhodium(I) dicarbonyl complex [Rh(CO)2ClL] (1a-g) {L = glycine methylester (a), alanine methylester (b), alanine ethylester (c), alanine t-butylester (d), phenylalanine methylester (e), phenylalanine ethylester (f), valine methylester (g)}. Complexes 1 undergo oxidative addition (OA) with CH₃I to give the five-coordinate Rh(III) complexes of the type [Rh(CO)(COCH₃)IClL] (2a–g). The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations reveal that the synthesized complexes 1 are very prone to undergo oxidative addition with CH₃I with a low activation barrier.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Rhodium carbonyl complexes
• aminoacid ester ligand
• oxidative addition
• DFT study

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The data used to support the findings of this study are included within the article.

Additional information

Funding

BJS thanks Assam Science and Technology University [ASTU/TEQIP-III/Collaborative Research/2019/2569] and University Grant Commission [Grant No: F.42-326/2013 (SR)] for providing partial financial grants.