Imidazoles, calculations rhodium complexes

Rhodium-NHC complexes [Rh( <-Cl)(IPr)( -olefin)]2 and RhCl(IPr)(py)(t/"-olefin) (IPr= l,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-carbene, py = pyridine, olefin = cyclooctene) have been designed as highly active catalysts for hydrothiolation of alkynes RC=CH with R SH. The dinuclear catalyst was found to promote the formation of the linear product RCH=CHSR, whereas the mononuclear catalyst favoured the branched isomer R(R S)C=CH2- A complex interplay between electronic and steric effects exerted by the carbene (IPr), pyridine, and hydride ligands accounts for the observed regioselectivity. DFT calculations suggested that migratory insertion of the alkyne into the rhodium-thiolate bond is the rate-determining step. ... 

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