The activation of alkyl cyanides using a rhodiumtrispyrazolylborate complex.

The photochemical reaction of Tp'Rh(L)(eta2-PhN=L) [Tp' = tris-(3,5-dimethyl pyrazolyl)borate, L = CNCH(2)CMe(3)] to form the coordinatively unsaturated reactive fragment, [Tp'Rh(L)], in the presence of alkylnitriles has been studied. The [Tp'Rh(L)] complex has been shown to selectively activate the primary C H terminus of acetonitrile, propionitrile, butyronitrile, and valeronitrile. The resulting hydrides showed uncharacteristic stability in the presence of C(6)D(6) and their rates of reductive elimination were monitored by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Competition reactions permit the establishment of the relative stabilities of the activation products.