N-Substituted imidazole derivatives of rhodium(I) and iridium(I) with and without metal-metal interaction. Crystal structure of cis-(CO)2RhCl(N-methylimidazole)

Bridge splitting reactions with N-methylimidazole (Rim, R = Me) or N-benzylimidazole (Rim, R = PhCH2) gave cis-L2MCl(Rim) complexes (M = Rh, Ir, L2 = (CO)2, 1,5-cyclooctadiene; M = Rh, L2 = (p-tosylmethyl isocyanide)2 or (CO)(PPh)3). M … M interactions in the dicarbonyl complexes are revealed by an X-ray diffraction study of cis-(CO)2RhCl(N-methylimidazole). The molecular units pack in the crystal as infinite chains along the c-axis with intermetallic distances Rh ⋯ Rh of 3.2833(5) Å.F.B. thanks the “Ministerio de Education y Ciencia” and the University of Zaragoza for making possible his stay as “Profesor invitado”, the University of Camerino for granting him leave of absence. and the “Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione” and the C.N.R. (Rome) for some financial support. We also thank the “Direccion General de Investigation Cientifica y Tecnica” (PB0291) and (603/885) for financial support.Peer reviewe