Conformational Rigidity in Complexes [MCl(tBu2PH)3] (M = Rh, Ir)

Reactions of [{M(μ‐Cl)(coe)2}2] (M = Rh, Ir; coe = cis‐cyclooctene) with the secondary phosphane tBu2PH under various molar ratios were investigated. Probably, for kinetic reasons, the reaction behavior of the rhodium species differed from that of the iridium analogue in some instances. During these studies complexes [MCl(tBu2PH)3] [M = Rh (1), Ir (2)] were isolated, and solution variable‐temperature 31P{1H} NMR studies revealed that these complexes show a conformational rigidity on the NMR time scale. Spectra recorded in the temperature range from 173 to 373 K indicated in each case only one rotamer containing three chemically nonequivalent phosphanes due to the restricted rotation of these ligands about the M–P bonds and the tert‐butyl substituents around the P–C(tBu) bonds, respectively. Compound 1 showed in solution already at room temperature in several solvents a dissociation of a phosphane ligand affording the known complex [{Rh(μ‐Cl)(tBu2PH)2}2] beside the free phosphane. In contrast to these findings, the iridium analogue 2 remained completely unchanged under similar conditions and exhibited, therefore, some kinetic inertness. For a better understanding of the NMR spectroscopic investigations, the molecular structure of 1 in the solid state was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography.