The F/Ph rearrangement reaction of [(Ph₃P)₃RhF], the fluoride congener of Wilkinson's catalyst

The fluoride congener of Wilkinson's catalyst, [(Ph₃P) ₃RhF] (1), has been synthesized and fully characterized. Unlike Wilkinson's catalyst, 1 easily activates the inert C-Cl bond of ArCl (Ar = Ph, ?-tolyl) under mild conditions (3 h at 80 °C) to produce trans-[(Ph ₃P)₂Rh(Ph₂PF)(Cl)] (2) and ArPh as a result of C-Cl, Rh-F, and P-C bond cleavage and C-C, Rh-Cl, and P-F bond formation. In benzene (2-3 h at 80 °C), 1 decomposes to a 1:1 mixture of trans-[(Ph ₃P)₂Rh(Ph₂PF)(F)] (3) and the cyclometalated complex [(Ph₃P)₂Rh(Ph₂PC₆H ₄)] (4). Both the chloroarene activation and the thermal decomposition reactions have been shown to occur via the facile and reversible F/Ph rearrangement reaction of 1 to cis-[(Ph₃P)₂Rh(Ph) (Ph₂PF)] (5), which has been isolated and fully characterized. Kinetic studies of the F/Ph rearrangement, an intramolecular process not influenced by extra phosphine, have led to the determination of E_a = 22.7 ± 1.2 kcal mol^-1, ?H‡ 22.0 ± 1.2 kcal mol^-1, and ?S‡ = -10.0 ± 3.7 eu. Theoretical studies of F/Ph exchange with the [(PH₃)₂(PH ₂Ph)RhF] model system pointed to two possible mechanisms: (i) Ph transfer to Rh followed by F transfer to P (formally oxidative addition followed by reductive elimination, pathway 1) and (ii) F transfer to produce a metallophosphorane with subsequent Ph transfer to Rh (pathway 2). Although pathway 1 cannot be ruled out completely, the metallophosphorane mechanism finds more support from both our own and previously reported observations. Possible involvement of metallophosphorane intermediates in various P-F, P-O, and P-C bond-forming reactions at a metal center is discussed. © 2005 American Chemical Society.