Cationic complexes of dirhodium(II) with 1,8-naphthyridine: catalysis of reactions involving silanes

The synthesis of cationic dirhodium(II) complexes by partial or total substitution of the acetate groups of [Rh2(OAc)4] with different homoleptic neutral bidentate ligands has been attempted. The ligand 1,8-naphthyridine gave the best results: substitution of one as well as of all four acetate ligands is possible, giving rise to mono-, di- and tetra-cationic complexes. One of the resulting tetrasubstituted complexes has been structurally characterised and found to exhibit the expected lantern-shaped structure. All cationic complexes have been investigated as catalysts in different reactions involving silanes: promising results have been obtained, particularly in the silylformylation of alkynes.