Osazone anion radical complex of rhodium(III)

One electron paramagnetic parent osazone complex of rhodium of type trans-Rh(L(NHPh)H(2))(PPh(3))(2)Cl(2) (1), defined as an osazone anion radical complex of rhodium(III), trans-Rh(III)(L(NHPh)H(2)(•-))(PPh(3))(2)Cl(2), 1((t-RhL•)), with a minor contribution (∼2%) of rhodium(II) electromer, trans-Rh(II)(L(NHPh)H(2))(PPh(3))(2)Cl(2), 1((t-Rh•L)), and their nonradical congener, trans-[Rh(III)(L(NHPh)H(2))(PPh(3))(2)Cl(2)]I(3) ([t-1](+)I(3)(-)), have been isolated and are substantiated by spectra, bond parameters, and DFT calculations on equivalent soft complexes [Rh(L(NHPh)H(2))(PMe(3))(2)Cl(2)] (3) and [Rh(L(NHPh)H(2))(PMe(3))(2)Cl(2)](+) (3(+)). 1 is not stable in solution and decomposes to [t-1](+) and a new rhodium(I) osazone complex, [Rh(I)(L(NHPh)H(2))(PPh(3))Cl] (2). 1 absorbs strongly at 351 nm due to MLCT and LLCT, while [t-1](+) and 2 absorb moderately in the range of 300-450 nm, respectively, due to LMCT and MLCT elucidated by TD-DFT calculations on 3((t-RhL•)), [t-3](+), and Rh(I)(L(NHPh)H(2))(PMe(3))Cl (4). EPR spectra of solids at 295 and 77 K, and dichloromethane-toluene frozen glass at 77 K of 1 are similar with g = 1.991, while g = 2.002 for the solid at 25 K. The EPR signal of 1 in dichloromethane solution is weaker (g = 1.992). In cyclic voltammetry, 1 displays two irreversible one electron transfer waves at +0.13 and -1.22 V, with respect to Fc(+)/Fc coupling, due to oxidation of 1((t-RhL•)) to [t-1](+) at the anode and reduction of rhodium(III) to rhodium(II), i.e., [t-1](+) to electromeric 1((t-Rh•L)) at the cathode.