Synthesis and characterization of cationic rhodium(I) dicarbonyl complexes

Treatment of Rh(acac)(CO)₂ (acac = acetoacetonate) with perchloric acid followed by addition of an α-diimine (α-diimine = 1,4-bis(Ar)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene, Ar = 3,5-dimethylphenyl, 1; 3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl, 2; and 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl, 3; phenyl, 4; and 4-chlorophenyl, 5) generates a series of complexes of the type Rh(α-diimine)(CO)₂]ClO₄] 6-10 with varying electronic properties of the supporting diimine ligand. X-ray crystal structures have been determined for the α-diimine ligands 1-5, and complexes 6, 8, and 10.