Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of Heteroleptic Rhodium Complex for C–N Couplings

Abstract

We have reported synthesis of complex [Rh(COD)(L{Me})Cl] (III), where L{Me} (II) is N-(1-methylpyridin-4(1H)-ylidene)benzamide and COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene. Monodentate ligand L{Me} was synthesized by deprotonation of [HL{Me}][OTf] (I) with sodium hydride. [HL{Me}][OTf] was synthesised by methylation of N-(pyridin-4-yl)benzamide (HL) with methyl triflate. All the three synthesized compounds were characterized by FT-IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C), elemental and MS analyses. The structure of complex I was further explored with single crystal XRD and computational studies. Complex I was found as a good catalyst for C–N coupling reactions. Molecular docking revealed strong binding of rhodium complex with myoglobin.