Towards the new cyclometalated complex [{Rh(μ-Cl)(ptpy)2}2] (ptpy = 2-(p-tolyl)pyridinato)

A convenient synthesis of the cyclometalated complex [{Rh(μ-Cl)(ptpy)2}2] (2, ptpy = 2-(p-tolyl)pyridinato) is described. Compound 2 was obtained by oxidative addition of Hptpy towards [{Rh(μ-Cl)(coe)2}2] 1 (coe = cis-cyclooctene) in refluxing toluene in good yield. The complex 2 crystallized from chloroform/iso-hexane in the space group P21/n as solvate 2*2 CHCl3 and its molecular structure was confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The emission spectrum exhibits the new compound as green-emitting phosphorescent complex.