Equilibrium, solid state behavior and reactions of four and five co-ordinate carbonyl stibine complexes of rhodium. Crystal Structures of trans-[Rh(Cl)(CO)(SbPh3)2], trans-[Rh(Cl)(CO)(SbPh3)3] and trans-[Rh(I)2(CH3)(CO)(SbPh3)2]

The crystal structures of the four-coordinate trans-[Rh(Cl)(CO)(SbPh3)2] (1) and the five-coordinate trans-[Rh(Cl)(CO)(SbPh3)3] (2) are reported, as well as the unexpected oxidative addition product, trans-[Rh(I)2(CH3)(CO)(SbPh3)2] (3), obtained from the reaction of 2 with CH3I. The formation constants of the five-coordinate complex were determined in dichloromethane, benzene, diethyl ether, acetone and ethyl acetate as 163±8, 363±10, 744±34, 1043±95 and 1261±96 M−1, respectively. While coordinating solvents facilitate the formation of the five-coordinate complex, the four-coordinate complex could be obtained from diethyl ether due to the favorable low crystallization energy. The tendency of stibine ligands to form five-coordinate rhodium(I) complexes is attributed mainly to electron deficient metal centers in these systems, with smaller contributions by the steric effects. The average effective cone angle for the SbPh3 ligand in the three crystallographic studies was determined as 139° with individual values ranging from 133 to 145°.