New dinuclear catalysts Rh(2)(N-O)(2)[(C6H4)P(C6H5)2]2 with imidate ligands: synthesis and isomerization from head-to-tail to head-to-head configuration of the imidate ligands.

Two new dirhodium(II) catalysts of general formula Rh(2)(N-O)(2)[(C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2)](2) (N-O = C(4)H(4)NO(2)) are prepared, starting from Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2)L(2) [PC = (C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2) (head-to-tail arrangement); L = HO(2)CCH(3)]. The thermal reaction of Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2).L(2) with the neutral succinimide stereoselectively gives one compound that according to the X-ray structure determination has the formula Rh(2)(C(4)H(4)NO(2))(2)[(C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2)](2) (1). It corresponds to the polar isomer with two bridging imidate ligands in a head-to-head configuration. However, stepwise reaction of Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2).L(2) with (CH(3))(3)SiCl and potassium succinimidate yields a mixture of 1 and one of the two possible isomers (structure B) with a head-to-tail configuration of the imidate ligands, Rh(2)(C(4)H(4)NO(2))(2)[(C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2)](2) (2), also characterized by X-ray methods. In solution, compound 2 undergoes slow isomerization to 1; the rate of this process is enhanced by the presence of acetonitrile. Compounds 1 and 2 are obtained as pure enantiomers starting from (M)- and (P)-Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2).L(2) rather than from the racemic mixture. Their enantioselectivities in cyclopropanation of 1-diazo-5-penten-2-one are similar to those reported for the dirhodium amidate catalysts.