Formation of a phosphine-phosphinite ligand in RhCl(PRR ’(2))[P,P-R ’(R)POCH2P(CH2OH)(2)] and R ’ H from cis-RhCl(PRR ’(2))(2)[P(CH2OH)(3)] via P-C bond cleavage

Reaction of RhCl(1,5-cod)(THP), where THP = P(CH2OH)(3), with several PRR’(2) phosphines (R = or not equal R’) generates, concomitantly with R’H, the derivatives RhCl(PRR’(2))[PP-R’(R)POCH2P(CH2OH)(2)] in two isomeric forms. The hydrogen of the hydrocarbon co-product derives from, a THP hydroxyl group which becomes an ’alkoxy’ group at the residual PRR’ moiety, this resulting in the P,P-chelated R’(R)POCH2P(CH2OH)2 ligand. One of the isomers of the PPh3 system, cis-RhCl (PPh3)[P, P-P(Ph)(2)OCH2P(CH2OH)(2)], was structurally characterized (cis refers to the disposition of the P atoms with Ph substituents).