Diphenyl rhodium trichloride

Benzenetellurolato-rhodium complexes were isolated when rhodium trichloride trihydrate and diphenyl tellurium were reacted in ethanol in the presence of formaldehyde. The benzenetellurolate ligand was formed by cleavage of one Te - C bond in diphenyl tellurium3. 

Benzenctellurolatobis[diphenyl teUurium]rhodium Dicbloride3 A solution of 2.0 g (7.6 mmol) of rhodium trichloride trihydrate in 120ml of hot ethanol is added to a refluxing solution of 7.75 g (27.5 mmol) of diphenyl tellurium in 250 ml of ethanol, refluxing is continued for 5 min, and 20 ml of 37% aqueous formaldehyde are added. The mixture is heated under reflux for 24 h, cooled to 0°, and filtered. The red solid is washed with hexane and dried yield 5.25 g (73%) dec. 149°. 

Tris[benzenetelIurolato]rhodiuin A solution of 0.415 g (1.58 mmol) of rhodium trichloride trihydrate in 40 ml of hot ethanol is added to a boiling solution of 4.5 g (15.9 mmol) of diphenyl tellurium in 160 ml of ethanol. To this mixture are added in sequence 16 w/ of 40% aqueous formaldehyde and a solution of 1.28 g of potassium hydroxide in 40 ml of hot ethanol. The resultant mixture is heated under reflux for 30 min, cooled to 20°, and the dark brown solid is filtered yield 0.95 g (84%) dec. 155°. 

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