A new dirhodium tetraacetate carbenoid: Synthesis, crystal structure and catalytic application

A new dirhodium tetraacetate II involving 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene I was synthesized and characterized by general spectroscopic tools in the solution state as well as single X-ray crystallographic analysis in the solid state. The catalytic activity of dirhodium tetraacetate carbenoid II was tested for the allylic oxidation, and the improved reactivity to the allylic oxidation was observed compared to that of Rh-2(OAc)(4). The different electrochemical properties of dirhodium tetraacetate carbenoid II and Rh2( OAc) 4 were compared via cyclic voltammetry. (c) 2007 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.