Inorganic Chemistry, Vol.43, No.16, 4820-4824, 2004
Imine hydrolysis and role of a rhodium(I)-imine-amine complex in homogeneous H-2-hydrogenation of the imine and a rare example of inequivalent NH2 protons
A Rh-catalyzed, homogeneous hydrogenation of the imine, PhCH2N=CHPh, is shown to involve a Rh-imine-amine species that subsequently activates H-2, the amine (benzylamine) being formed via a Rh-catalyzed hydrolysis of the imine by adventitious water. The imine-amine complex, cis-{Rh[P(p-tolyl)(3)](2)(PhCH2N=CHPh)(NH2CH2Ph)}PF6 (2b), is structurally characterized, and the solution H-1 NMR data reveal inequivalent NH2 protons.