Synthesis of Highly Fluorinated Arene Complexes of [Rh(Chelating Phosphine)]+ Cations, and their use in Synthesis and Catalysis

The synthesis of rhodium complexes with weakly binding highly fluorinated benzene ligands is described: 1,2,3-F3C6H3, 1,2,3,4-F4C6H2 and 1,2,3,4,5-F5C6H are shown to bind with cationic [Rh(Cy2P(CH2)(x)PCy2)](+) fragments (x=1, 2). Their structures and reactivity with alkenes, and use in catalysis for promoting the Tishchenko reaction of a simple aldehyde, are demonstrated. Key to the synthesis of these complexes is the highly concentrated reaction conditions and use of the [Al{OC(CF3)(3)}(4)](-) anion.