Tetraphenylcyclopentadienyl rhodium complexes in stoichiometric and catalytic CH functionalization

The use of [RhCl2(η-C5Ph4H)]2 for stoichiometric and catalytic CH functionalization has been evaluated. For the substrates studied, CH activation, alkyne insertion and CN reductive elimination are all possible at room temperature, similar to corresponding reactions with [RhCl2(η-C5Me5)]2. The tetraphenylcyclopentadienyl ligand shows promise for controlling regioselectivity in catalytic CH functionalization.