Differentiation of planar chiral enantiomers of [Cp*M(2-alkyl-Phenoxo)] [BF4] {M = Rh, Ir} by the trisphat anion

Precursor oxo-dienyl rhodium and iridium complexes [(eta5-Cp*)M(eta(5)-2-alkyl-oxodienyl)] [BF4] (2a-c) were prepared according to literature procedure. Addition of [n-Bu4N] [Delta-trisphat] (6) to a CD2Cl2 solution of these chiral derivatives has led to the NMR differentiation of the enantiomers. These results pave the way towards the preparation of enantiomerically pure o-quinone methide complexes. (C) 2002 Academie des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.