Rhodium Silyl Boryl Hydride Complexes: Comparison of Bonding and the Rates of Elimination of Borane, Silane, and Dihydrogen

Spoilt for choice: a silane, dihydrogen, borane, or hydridoborate complex? The silyl boryl hydride complex [Cp*Rh(H2)(Et3Si)(Bpin)] (Bpin=(pinacolato)boryl) could adopt any of these structures, but it appears to contain stronger BH bonding than SiH or HH bonding and undergoes elimination of pinacolborane faster than of silane or hydrogen (see scheme). The bonding situation is studied by experimental and theoretical methods. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2004/z460430_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.