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A Guy Orpen

Publications and source records attributed to A Guy Orpen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The d4/d3 redox pairs [MX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp']z (z=0 and 1): structural consequences of electron transfer and implications for the inverse halide order.

The d4 halide complexes [MX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp'] {X=F, Cl, Br or I; R=Me or Ph; M=Mo or W; Tp'=hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate} undergo one-electron oxidation to the d3 monocations [MX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp']+, isolable for M=W, R=Me. X-Ray structural studies on the redox pairs [WX(CO)(eta-MeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CMe)Tp']z (X=Cl and Br, z=0 and 1), the ESR spectra of the cations [WX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp']+ (X=F, Cl, Br or I; R=Me or Ph), and DFT calculations on [WX(CO)(eta-MeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CMe)Tp']z (X=F, Cl, Br and I; z=0 and 1) are consistent with electron removal from a HOMO (of the d4 complexes) which is pi-antibonding with respect to the W-X bond, pi-bonding with respect to the W-C(O) bond, and delta-bonding with respect to the W-Calkyne bonds. The dependence of both oxidation potential and nu(CO) for [MX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp'] shows an inverse halide order which is consistent with an ionic component to the M-X bond; the small size of fluorine and its closeness to the metal centre leads to the highest energy HOMO and the lowest oxidation potential. In the cations [MX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp']+ electronegativity effects become more important, leading to a conventional order for Cl, Br and I. However, high M-F pi-donation is still facilitated by the short M-F distance.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Allosteric effects in asymmetric hydrogenation catalysis? Asymmetric induction as a function of the substrate and the backbone flexibility of C1-symmetric diphosphines in rhodium-catalysed hydrogenations.

The new unsymmetrical, optically active ligands 1,2-C(2)H(4)(PPh(2))(2'R,5'R-2',5'-dimethylphospholanyl) (L(a)) and 1,3-C(3)H(6)(PPh(2))(2'R,5'R-2',5'-dimethylphospholanyl) (L(b)) form complexes of the type [Rh(L)(cyclooctadiene)][BF(4)] where L = L(a) (1a) or L(b) (1b), [PtCl(2)(L)] where L = L(a) (2a) or L(b) (2b) and [PdCl(2)(L)] where L = L(a) (3a) or Lb (3b). The crystal structures of 2a and 2b show the chelate ligand backbones adopt delta-twist and flattened chair conformations respectively. Asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides and dehydroaminoesters using 1a and 1b as catalysts show that the ethylene-backboned diphosphine L(a) gives a more efficient catalyst in terms of asymmetric induction than the propylene-backboned analogue L(b). The greatest enantioselectivities were obtained with 1a and enamide substrates with ees up to 91%. Substrate-induced conformational changes in the Rh-diphosphine chelates are proposed to explain some of the ees observed in the hydrogenation of enamides.

Journal Article↗

Bulky 4-phosphacyclohexanones: diastereoselective complexations, orthometallations and unprecedented [3.1.1]metallabicycles.

The 4-phosphacyclohexanones, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-phenyl-4-phosphorinanone (La), 1,2,6-triphenyl-4-phosphorinanone ((Ph)Lb), 1-cyclohexyl-2,6-diphenyl-4-phosphorinanone ((Cy)Lb) and 1-tert-butyl-2,6-diphenyl-4-phosphorinanone ((Bu)Lb) have been made by modifications of literature methods. Phosphines (R)Lb are each formed as mixtures of meso- and rac-diastereoisomers. Isomerically pure rac-(Ph)Lb, rac-(Cy)Lb and meso-(Bu)Lb can be isolated by recrystallisation from MeCN. Heating mixtures of isomers of (R)Lb with TsOH leads to isomerisations to give predominantly the meso-(R)Lb. The complex trans-[PdCl2(La)2] (1) is readily made from [PdCl2(NCPh)2] but the analogous platinum complex 2 has not been detected and instead, cyclometallation at the 3-position (alpha to the ketone) in the phosphacycle occurs to give trans-[PtCl(La)(La-3H)] (3) (where La-3H = La deprotonated at the 3-position) featuring a [3.1.1]metallabicycle as confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The analogous palladabicycle 4 has been detected upon treatment of 1 with Et3N in refluxing toluene. The type of complex formed by (R)Lb depends on which diastereoisomer (meso or rac) is involved. rac-(Ph)Lb (a mixture of R,R- and S,S-enantiomers, labelled alpha and beta) forms trans-[MCl2(rac-(Ph)Lb)2], M = Pd (5) or Pt (6), as mixtures of diastereoisomers (alphaalpha/betabeta and alphabeta forms). The structure of alphaalpha-6 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Ligand competition experiments monitored by 31P NMR showed that Pd(II) and Pt(II) have a significant preference to bind rac-(Ph)Lb over meso-(Ph)Lb. meso-(Bu)Lb reacts with [PtCl2(NCBu(t))2] under ambient conditions to give the binuclear complex [Pt2Cl2(meso-(Bu)Lb-2'H)2] (7) where orthometallation has occurred on one of the exocyclic phenyl substituents as confirmed by X-ray crystallography. rac-(Bu)Lb reacts with [PtCl2(NCBu(t))2] to give a mononuclear cyclometallated species assigned the structure trans-[PtCl(rac-(Bu)Lb-2'H)((Bu)Lb)] (8) on the basis of its 31P NMR spectrum. rac-(Cy)Lb reacts with [PtCl2(NCBu(t))2] in refluxing toluene to give trans-[PtCl2(rac-(Cy)Lb)2] (9) and the crystal structure of alphabeta-9 has been determined.

Journal Article↗

Cation and anion diversity in [M(dithiooxalate)2]2- salts: structure robustness in crystal synthesis.

A series of crystalline salts based on the [M(dto)2]2- (dto = 1,2-dithiooxalate, M = Ni, Pt, Cu) dianion with hydrogen-bond donor cations have been synthesised following a molecular tectonics approach. The chelating M(dto)[dot dot dot]HN supramolecular synthon has been exploited in a systematic study of its robustness. The effects of competition between hydrogen-bond acceptors, of the shape and functionality of the cations and of varying the metal in the anion are discussed. The preparation and structural characterisation of the new crystalline phases [4,4'-H(2)bipy][Pt(dto)2] (2), [HNC5H4CO2H-4]2[Pt(dto)2] (5), [HNC5H4CO2H-3]2[Pt(dto)2] (6), [HNC5H4CH2CO2H-4]2[Ni(dto)2] (7), [HNC(5)H(4)CH(2)CO(2)H-3]2[Ni(dto)2] (8), [HNC5H4CONH2-4]2[Ni(dto)2] (9), [HNC5H4CHNOH-4]2[Ni(dto)2] (10), [HNC5H4CHNOH-3]2[Ni(dto)2] (11), [4,4'-H2bipip][Ni(dto)2] (12), [H2NC5H9CO2H-4]2[Pt(dto)2] (12), [H2NC5H9CO2H-4]2[Cu(dto)2] (14), [H2NC5H9CO2H-3]2[Ni(dto)2][H2O]2 (15), [H2NC5H9CO2H-3]2[Pt(dto)2][H2O]2 (16), [H2NC5H9CO2H-3]2[Cu(dto)2][H2O]2 (17), [H(Me)NC5H9CO2H-4]2[Ni(dto)2][H2O]2 (18) is reported. The charge-assisted NH[dot dot dot]dto synthon is formed in each of compounds 1-20, and is apparently much more robust than the conventional synthons used (such as the carboxylic acid dimer), which have a much lower rate of occurrence. The NH[dot dot dot]dto synthon may be generalised to 3- and 4-pyridinium species and 3- and 4-piperidinium derivatives. In the latter cases branching of the hydrogen-bond networks through the NH2 groups arises. The robustness of the NH...dto synthon allows structures of the form [NH cation]2[M(dto)2] to be regarded as being formed by the packing of neutral supermolecules. Cases of isomorphism (as in 16-18) and latent polymorphism (e.g. in 4 and 6) are noted.

Journal Article↗

Metal-metal charge transfer and solvatochromism in cyanomanganese carbonyl complexes of ruthenium and osmium.

The complexes [(H3N)5Ru(II)(mu-NC)Mn(I)Lx]2+, prepared from [Ru(OH2)(NH3)5]2+ and [Mn(CN)L(x)] {L(x) = trans-(CO)2{P(OPh)3}(dppm); cis-(CO)2(PR3)(dppm), R = OEt or OPh; (PR3)(NO)(eta-C5H4Me), R = Ph or OPh}, undergo two sequential one-electron oxidations, the first at the ruthenium centre to give [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)Lx]3+; the osmium(III) analogues [(H3N)5Os(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)Lx]3+ were prepared directly from [Os(NH3)5(O3SCF3)]2+ and [Mn(CN)Lx]. Cyclic voltammetry and electronic spectroscopy show that the strong solvatochromism of the trications depends on the hydrogen-bond accepting properties of the solvent. Extensive hydrogen bonding is also observed in the crystal structures of [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)(PPh3)(NO)(eta-C5H4Me)][PF6]3.2Me2CO.1.5Et2O, [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)(CO)(dppm)2-trans][PF6]3.5Me2CO and [(H3N)5Ru(III)(mu-NC)Mn(I)(CO)2{P(OEt)3}(dppm)-trans][PF6]3.4Me2CO, between the amine groups (the H-bond donors) at the Ru(III) site and the oxygen atoms of solvent molecules or the fluorine atoms of the [PF6]- counterions (the H-bond acceptors).

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Structural consequences of the one-electron reduction of d4 [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp']+ and the electronic structure of the d5 radicals [M(CO)L(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'] {L = CO and P(OCH2)3CEt}.

Reduction of [M(CO)2(eta-RC[triple bond]CR')Tp']X {Tp' = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, M = Mo, X = [PF6]-, R = R' = Ph, C6H4OMe-4 or Me; R = Ph, R' = H; M = W, X = [BF4]-, R = R' = Ph or Me; R = Ph, R' = H} with [Co(eta-C5H5)2] gave paramagnetic [M(CO)2(eta-RC[triple bond]CR')Tp'], characterised by IR and ESR spectroscopy. X-Ray structural studies on the redox pair [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp'] and [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp'][PF6] showed that oxidation is accompanied by a lengthening of the C[triple bond]C bond and shortening of the Mo-C(alkyne) bonds, consistent with removal of an electron from an orbital antibonding with respect to the Mo-alkyne bond, and with conversion of the alkyne from a three- to a four-electron donor. Reduction of [Mo(CO)(NCMe)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'][PF6] with [Co(eta-C5H5)2] in CH2Cl2 gives [MoCl(CO)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'], via nitrile substitution in [Mo(CO)(NCMe)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'], whereas a similar reaction with [M(CO){P(OCH2)3CEt}(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp']+ (M = Mo or W) gives the phosphite-containing radicals [M(CO){P(OCH2)3CEt}(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp']. ESR spectroscopic studies and DFT calculations on [M(CO)L(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'] {M = Mo or W, L = CO or P(OCH2)3CEt} show the SOMO of the neutral d5 species (the LUMO of the d4 cations) to be largely d(yz) in character although much more delocalised in the W complexes. Non-coincidence effects between the g and metal hyperfine matrices in the Mo spectra indicate hybridisation of the metal d-orbitals in the SOMO, consistent with a rotation of the coordinated alkyne about the M-C2 axis.

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Synthesis and reactivity of cobalt boryl complexes.

The reaction between [Co(PMe3)4] and B2(4-Mecat)2 (4-Mecat = 1,2-O2-4-MeC6H3) or between [Co(PMe2Ph)4] and B2(cat)2 (cat = 1,2-O2C6H4) affords the paramagnetic Co(II) bisboryl complexes [Co(PMe3)3[B(4-Mecat)]2] and [Co(PMe2Ph)3{B(cat)]2] respectively, both of which have been structurally characterised. ESR data and preliminary diboration and boryl transfer reactivity studies are also presented. The reaction between [CoMe(PMe3)4] and B2(cat)2 affords the Co(I) monoboryl complex [Co(PMe3)4[B(cat)]].

Journal Article↗

Triazenide-bridged rhodium-palladium complexes: [I2Rh(mu-p-MeC6H4NNNC6H4Me-p)2Pd(eta(3)-C3H5)]-, a stable paramagnetic [RhPd]4+ species with a localised Rh(II) centre.

Deprotonation of mixtures of the triazene complexes [RhCl(CO)2(p-MeC6H4NNNHC6H4Me-p)] and [PdCl(eta(3)-C3H5)(p-MeC6H4NNNHC6H4Me-p)] or [PdCl2(PPh3)(p-MeC6H4NNNHC6H4Me-p)] with NEt3 gives the structurally characterised heterobinuclear triazenide-bridged species [(OC)2Rh(mu-p-MeC6H4NNNC6H4Me-p)2PdLL'] {LL' = eta(3)-C3H5 1 or Cl(PPh3) 2} which, in the presence of Me3NO, react with [NBu(n)4]I, [NBu(n)4]Br, [PPN]Cl or [NBu(n)4]NCS to give [(OC)XRh(mu-p-MeC6H4NNNC6H4Me-p)2PdCl(PPh3)]- (X = I 3-, Br 4-, Cl 5- or NCS 6-) and [NBu(n)4][(OC)XRh(mu-p-MeC6H4NNNC6H4Me-p)2Pd(eta(3)-C3H5)], (X = I 7- or Br 8-). The allyl complexes 7- and 8- undergo one-electron oxidation to the corresponding unstable neutral complexes 7 and 8 but, in the presence of the appropriate halide, oxidative substitution results in the stable paramagnetic complexes [NBu(n)4][X2Rh(mu-p-MeC6H4NNNC6H4Me-p)2Pd(eta(3)-C3H5)], (X = I 9- or Br 10-). X-Ray structural (9-), DFT and EPR spectroscopic studies are consistent with the unpaired electron of 9- and 10- localised primarily on the Rh(II) centre of the [RhPd]4+ core, which is susceptible to oxygen coordination at low temperature to give Rh(III)-bound superoxide.

Journal Article↗

Development of a ligand knowledge base, part 1: computational descriptors for phosphorus donor ligands.

A prototype collection of knowledge on ligands in metal complexes, termed a ligand knowledge base (LKB), has been developed. This contribution describes the design of DFT-calculated descriptors for monodentate phosphorus(III) donor ligands in a range of representative complexes. Using the resulting data, a ligand space is mapped and predictive models are derived for metal complexes. Important characteristics, including chemical, computational and statistical robustness for the generation and exploitation of such an LKB are described. Chemical robustness ensures transferability of the descriptors, as well as comprehensive sampling of ligand space. To make the calculations amenable to automation in an e-science setting, a reliable, well-defined computational approach has been sought from which the descriptors can be readily extracted. The LKB has been explored with multivariate statistical methods. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used for the mapping of chemical space, projecting multiple descriptors into scatter plots which illustrate the clustering of chemically similar ligands. Interpretation of the resulting principal components in terms of established steric and electronic properties and the importance of its statistical robustness to variations in the ligand set are discussed. Multiple linear regression (MLR) models have been derived, demonstrating the versatility of the descriptors for modeling varied experimentally determined parameters (bond lengths, reaction enthalpies and bond-stretching frequencies). The importance of re-sampling methods for testing the robustness of predictions is highlighted. A strategy for the construction of a robust LKB suitable for the modeling of ligand and complex behavior is outlined based on these observations.

Journal Article↗

Primary amido substituted diborane4 compounds and imidodiborate4 anions.

Treatment of the diborane(4) compound B(2)(NMe(2))(4) with aniline or 2,6-dimethylaniline results in the primary amido compounds B(2)(NHR)(4)(R = Ph, 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)); subsequent treatment with n-BuLi in toluene in each case affords the first examples of anionic imidodiborates namely Li(4)(thf)(6)B(2)(NPh)(4) and Li(4)(thf)(4)B(2)(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(4); all complexes have been characterised crystallographically.

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Substituent effects and the mechanism of alkene metathesis catalyzed by ruthenium dichloride catalysts.

Density functional theory calculations are reported concerning the dissociative mechanism for alkene metathesis by ruthenium dichloride catalysts, including both bisphosphine and diaminocarbene/phosphine complexes. The calculations use a hierarchy of models, ranging from [(L)(PH(3))Ru(Cl)(2)(CH(2))](L=PH(3) or diaminocarbene) through the larger [(L)(PMe(3))Ru(Cl)(2)(CHPh)] to the "real"[(L)(PCy(3))Ru(Cl)(2)(CHPh)]. Calculations show that the rate-limiting step for metathesis is either ring closing from an alkene complex to form a ruthena-cyclobutane, or ring-opening of the latter intermediate to form an isomeric alkene complex. The higher efficiency of the diaminocarbene based catalysts is due to the stabilization of the formal +iv oxidation state of the ruthenium centre in the metallacycle. This effect is partly masked in the smaller model systems due to a previously unnoticed stereoelectronic effect. The calculations do not reproduce the experimental observation whereby the initiation step, phosphine dissociation, is more energetically demanding and hence slower for the diaminocarbene-containing catalyst system than for the bisphosphine. Further calculations on the corresponding bond energies using a variety of DFT and hybrid DFT/molecular mechanics methods all find instead a larger phosphine dissociation energy for the bisphosphine catalyst. This reversed order of binding energies would in fact be the one expected based on the stronger trans influence of the diaminocarbene ligand. The discrepancy with experiment is small and could have a number of causes which are discussed here.

Journal Article↗

Bulky triarylarsines are effective ligands for palladium catalysed Heck olefination.

The four arsines, As{C6H3(o-CH3)(p-Z)}3{Z=H (2a) or OMe (2b)} and As{C6H3(o-CHMe2)(p-Z)}3{Z=H (2c) or OMe (2d)} react with [PdCl2(NCPh)2] or [PtCl2(NCBu(t))2] to give trans-[MCl2L2] or trans-[M2Cl2(mu-Cl)2L2]. The crystal structures of trans-[PdCl2(2a)2] and [PtCl2(2d)2] have been determined, the latter as its dichloromethane solvate. The structures show that in these complexes, the ligands adopt gga type conformations as do all analogous tri-o-tolyl- and tri-o-isopropylphenylphosphines in square-planar and octahedral complexes. The variable-temperature NMR behaviour of the complexes shows that they are fluxional due to restricted As-C bond rotation. The rate of the fluxionality is more rapid than in the analogous phosphine complexes and this is associated with longer As-C and As-M bonds allowing more free movement. The catalytic activity of the palladium complexes of the arsines and their phosphine analogues for the reaction of 4-bromoacetophenone and n-butyl acrylate has been screened. The results show that the arsines are generally superior to the phosphines as ligands for this catalysis. Tri(o-isopropylphenyl)phosphine and tri(o-isopropylphenyl)arsine are superior to tri-o-tolylphosphine as ligands for this Heck reaction and a p-methoxy substituent improves the arsine catalyst but not the phosphine catalyst. The phosphine catalysts are superior to the arsine catalysts for the reaction of 4-chloroacetophenone and n-butyl acrylate. These observations are discussed in the context of ligand stereoelectronic effects, as measured by the Tolman electronic parameter, nuCO of the [NiL(CO)3]{L=AsAr3 or PAr3}.

Journal Article↗

The electron-poor phosphines P{C6H3(CF3)2-3,5}3 and P(C6F5)3 do not mimic phosphites as ligands for hydroformylation. A comparison of the coordination chemistry of P{C6H3(CF3)2-3,5}3 and P(C6F5)3 and the unexpectedly low hydroformylation activity of their rhodium complexes.

The fluoroaryl phosphines P{C6H3(CF3)2-3,5}3 (La) and P(C6F5)3 (Lb) form the complexes trans-[MCl2(La)2] and trans-[MCl2(Lb)2](M = Pd or Pt) which have been isolated and fully characterised. 31P NMR studies of competition experiments show that the stability of trans-[PdCl2L2] is in the order L = Lb< La <PPh3. The crystal structure of trans-[PtCl2(La)2] is reported and reveals that the Pt-P bond lengths in trans-[PtCl2L2] are in the order L = Lb< La < PPh3. The equilibria established when [Pt(norbornene)3] is treated with or are investigated by 31P and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy and the species [PtLn(norbornene)3-n](n= 1-3) identified. Ligands and appear to have similar affinities for platinum(0). The complexes trans-[MCl(CO)(La)2] and trans-[MCl(CO)(Lb)2](M = Rh or Ir) have been synthesised and fully characterised; the values of nu(CO) are comparable with those for analogous phosphite complexes. The ligands La, Lb, P(C6H2F3-3,4,5)3 (Lc), P{C6H4(CF3)-2}3 (Ld), PPh3 and P(OPh)3 have been tested in rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of 1-hexene and La, Lb, and PPh3 have been tested in rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of 4-methoxystyrene. Ligands La, and Lb, have been shown to be stable under the hydroformylation catalysis conditions. For the 1-hexene reaction, the activity and selectivity for and are very similar to the PPh3 catalyst (TOF ca. 400 h(-1); n : iso 2.5-3.0) but for the sterically demanding and the activity and selectivity was much lower than with PPh3 (TOF ca. 15, n : iso ratio 0.6). Thus, the yield of heptanals obtained with the catalyst derived from La is 94% while under the same conditions with Lb only 6%. The TOF for the La/Rh catalyst was 5 times lower than for the P(OPh)3/Rh catalyst despite the superficially similar ligand electronic characteristics for La and P(OPh)3.

Journal Article↗

Phenylphosphatrioxa-adamantanes: bulky, robust, electron-poor ligands that give very efficient rhodium(I) hydroformylation catalysts.

The cage phosphines 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-6-phenyl-2,4,8-trioxa-6-phosphaadamantane (1a) and 1,3,5,7-tetraethyl-6-phenyl-2,4,8,trioxa-6-phosphaadamantane (1b) have been made by the acid catalysed addition of PhPH(2) to the appropriate beta-diketones; the acid used (HCl, H(3)PO(4) or H(2)SO(4)) and its concentration affect the rate and selectivity of these condensation reactions. Phosphines 1a and 1b react with [PdCl(2)(NCPh)(2)] to form complexes trans-[PdCl(2)(1a)(2)](2a) and trans-[PdCl(2)(1b)(2)](2b) as mixtures of rac and meso diastereoisomers. The platinum(II) chemistry is more complicated and when 1a or 1b is added to [PtCl(2)(cod)], equilibrium mixtures of trans-[PtCl(2)L(2)] and [Pt(2)Cl(4)L(2)](L = or ) are formed in CH(2)Cl(2) solution. Meso/rac mixtures of trans-[MCl(CO)(1a)(2)] M = Ir (6a) or Rh (7a) are formed upon treatment of MCl(3).nH(2)O with an excess of 1a and the anionic cobalt complex [NHEt(3)][CoCl(3)(1a)](9) was isolated from the product formed by CoCl(2).6H(2)O and 1a. The nu(CO) values from the IR spectra of 6a and 7a suggest that 1a resembles a phosphonite in its bonding to Rh and Ir. Crystal structures of meso-2a, meso-2b, rac-6a and 9 are reported and in each case a small intracage C-P-C angle of ca. 94 degrees is observed; this may partly explain the bonding characteristics of ligands 1a and 1b. The cone angles for 1a and 1b are similar and large (ca. 200 degrees). Rhodium complexes of ligands 1a and 1b are hydroformylation catalysts with similarly high activity to catalysts derived from phosphites. The catalysts derived from 1a and 1b gave unusually low linear selectivity in the hydroformylation of hexenes. This feature has been further exploited in quaternary-selective hydroformylations of unsaturated esters; catalysts derived from 1a give better yields and regioselectivities than any previously reported catalyst.

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