Synthesis and structure of fac-tris[(8-quinolyl)dimethylsilyl]rhodium(III) and -iridium(III)

The first tris-N,Si-ligated metal complexes have been prepared in high yield by a reaction between (8-quinolyl)dimethylsilane (dmsiqn-H) and M(PPh3)3(CO)(H) (M = Rh, Ir) in refluxing toluene. The X-ray crystal structures of Rh(dmsiqn)3 and Ir(dmsiqn)3, which are isomorphous, have been determined. The molecular dipoles of the molecules in the crystal are aligned in a manner which can provide the solid with nonlinear optical properties.