Stirring or milling? First synthesis of Rh(I)-(di-N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes both in solution and in a ball mill
Sourav De, Ferenc Joó, Henrietta Horváth, Antal Udvardy, Csilla Enikő Czégéni
Abstract
An environment-friendly, convenient, fast and solvent-free mechanochemical approach have been accomplished for the synthesis of several diimidazolium salts and the bridging dinuclear rhodium(I)–N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of the type [{RhCl(cod)}2(μ-di-NHC)] derived from them. The compounds were synthesized also by the classical solvent method and the results of the two approaches were compared. A systematic study of both the mechanochemical and the solvent syntheses has also been carried out to determine the effects of various factors influencing the reactions. This is the first report on the mechanochemical synthesis of poly-NHC metal complexes as well as NHC–Rh complexes in ball mill.