Silsesquioxyl rhodium(I) complexes--synthesis, structure and catalytic activity

Dalton Trans. 2011 May 14;40(18):5073-7. doi: 10.1039/c0dt01631d. Epub 2011 Mar 29.

Abstract

The first bi- and mononuclear rhodium(I) complexes [{Rh(μ-OSi(8)O(12)(i-Bu)(7))(cod)}(2)] (5), [Rh(cod)(PCy(3))(OSi(8)O(12)(i-Bu)(7))] (6) with a hindered hepta(iso-butyl)silsesquioxyl ligand bonded to the rhodium(I) center through Rh-O-Si bonds have been synthesized and their structures have been solved by spectroscopic methods and X-ray analysis. Their exemplary catalytic properties in silylative coupling of vinylsilanes with styrene are also presented.