Protonolysis of an α‑Hydroxyl Ligand for the Generation of a PCcarbeneP Pincer Complex and Subsequent Reactivity Studies

A rhodium α-hydroxylalkyl complex (1) reacts rapidly with Brookhart’s acid, [H­(OEt2)2]­[B­(3,5-(CF3)2-C6H3)4], to generate a cationic PCcarbeneP complex (2). Complex 2 can also be accessed from salt metathesis of an α-hydroxyalkyl hydrochlorido rhodium­(III) complex (4) with Na­[B­(3,5-(CF3)2-C6H3)4]. The reactivity of compound 2 is explored through a series of reactions with various nucleophilic and electrophilic reagents.