Mixed anhydride complexes of rhodium(I) and ruthenium(II) - their synthesis and ligand rearrangements.

The coordination chemistry and solution behaviour of Rh(i) and Ru(ii) complexes derived from mixed anhydride ligands of carboxylic acids and phosphorus acids were explored. Similar to the free ligand systems, mixed anhydride complexes rearranged in solution via a number of pathways, with the pathway of choice dependent on the mixed anhydride employed, the auxiliary ligands present as well as the nature of the metal centre. Plausible mechanisms for some of the routes of rearrangement and by-product formation are proposed. Where stability allowed, new complexes were fully characterised, including solid state structures for four of the unrearranged mixed anhydride complexes and two of the interesting rearrangement products.