Acetalization and transacetalization reactions catalyzed by ruthenium, rhodium, and iridium complexes with (2-((Bis[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphino)methyl) -2-methylpropane-1,3-diyl)bis[bis[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphine] (MeC[CH2P(m-CF3C6H4) 2]3)

Abstract

The complexes [RhCl(3-n)(MeCN)n(CF3triphos)](CF 3SO3)n (n = 1, 2; CF3triphos = MeC[CH2P(m-CF3C6H4) 2]3) and [M(MeCN)3 (CF3triphos)](CF3SO3)n (M = Ru, n = 2; M = Ir, n = 3) are catalyst precursors for some typical acetalization and transacetalization reactions. The activity of these complexes is higher than those of the corresponding species containing the parent ligand MeC[CH2P(C6H5)2]3 (Htriphos). Also the complexes [MCl3(tripod)] (tripod = Htriphos and CF3triphos) are active catalysts for the above reactions. The complex [RhCl2(MeCN)(CF3triphos)](CF3SO3) catalyzes the acetalization of benzophenone.