First metal complexes of 6,6′-dihydroxy-2,2′-bipyridine: from molecular wires to applications in carbonylation catalysisElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures, NMR spectra and X-ray crystallographic details. CCDC reference numbers 748276. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c0dt01526a

The first square planar rhodium( i ) complexes containing the 6,6′-dihydroxy-2,2′-bipyridine ligand have been prepared. The complexes form molecular wires in the solid state and are active catalysts for the carbonylation of methyl acetate. Rhodium( i ) complexes containing 6,6′-dihydroxy-2,2′-bipyridine form molecular wires in the solid state and are active catalysts for methyl acetate carbonylation.