Rhodium(III) complexes featuring coordinated CF3 appendages

The synthesis and characterisation of a homologous series of rhodium 2,2′‐biphenyl complexes featuring intramolecular dative bonding of the nominally inert and weakly coordinating trifluoromethyl group are described. Presence of these interactions is evidenced in the solid state using X‐ray diffraction, with Rh−F contacts of 2.36–2.45 Å, and in solution using NMR spectroscopy, through hindered C−CF3 bond rotation and the presence of time‐averaged 1JRhF and 2JPF coupling