Thermodynamic and kinetic data for adduct formation, cis-trans isomerization and redox reactions of ML4 complexes: a case study with rhodium- and iridium-tropp complexes in d8, d9 and d10 valence electron configurations (tropp=dibenzotropylidene phosphanes).

The formation of adducts of the square-planar 16-electron complexes trans-[M(tropp(ph))(2)](+) and cis-[M(tropp(ph))(2)](+) (M=Rh, Ir; tropp(Ph)=5-diphenylphosphanyldibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene) with acetonitrile (acn) and Cl(-), and the redox chemistry of these complexes was investigated by various physical methods (NMR and UV-visible spectroscopy, square-wave voltammetry), in order to obtain some fundamental thermodynamic and kinetic data for these systems. A trans/cis isomerization cannot be detected for [M(tropp(ph))(2)](+) in non-coordinating solvents. However, both isomers are connected through equilibria of the type trans-[M(tropp(ph))(2)](+)+L<==>[ML(tropp(ph))(2)](n)<==>cis-[M(tropp(ph))(2)](+)+L, involving five-coordinate intermediates [ML(tropp(ph))(2)](n) (L=acn, n=+1; L=Cl(-), n=0). Values for K(d) (K(f)), that is, the dissociation (formation) equilibrium constant, and k(d) (k(f)), that is, the dissociation (formation) rate constant, were obtained. The formation reactions are fast, especially with the trans isomers (k(f)>1x10(5) m(-1) s(-1)). The reaction with the sterically more hindered cis isomers is at least one order of magnitude slower. The stability of the five-coordinate complexes [ML(tropp(ph))(2)](n) increases with Ir>Rh and Cl(-)>acn. The dissociation reaction has a pronounced influence on the square-wave (SW) voltammograms of trans/cis-[Ir(tropp(ph))(2)](+). With the help of the thermodynamic and kinetic data independently determined by other physical means, these reactions could be simulated and allowed the setting up of a reaction sequence. Examination of the data obtained showed that the trans/cis isomerization is a process with a low activation barrier for the four-coordinate 17-electron complexes [M(tropp(ph))(2)](0) and especially that a disproportionation reaction 2 trans/cis-[M(tropp(ph))(2)](0)-->[M(tropp(ph))(2)](+)+[M(tropp(ph))(2)](-) may be sufficiently fast to mask the true reactivity of the paramagnetic species, which are probably less reactive than their diamagnetic equilibrium partners.