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-F3 C6 H3 , 1,2,3,4-F4 C6 H2 and 1,2,3,4,5-F5 C6 H are shown to bind with cationic [Rh(Cy2 P(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.