Abstract

The mechanism of alkane C-H bond activation by transition metal complexes such as CpM(CO)₂ (M=Rh, Ir) has been intensely studied because it represents a first step in a catalytic process using unreactive hydrocarbons.[1] The bond activation reaction starts with the formation of monocarbonyl intermediates such as CpRh(CO). These species have been detected in the gas phase[2] and in liquefied rare Kr and Xe[3] by µs time resolved IR spectroscopy. Unfortunately, the subsequent oxidative insertion of CpRh(CO) into the C-H bond is not well understood due to its rapid rate and low quantum yield (~1%) for formation of the C-H activated product. These properties have hindered previous femtosecond and picosecond time-resolved studies of activation reaction in room temperature alkane solution. [4]

© 1996 Optical Society of America