Rhodium(III) complexes featuring coordinated CF3 appendages.

The synthesis and characterisation of a homologous series of rhodium 2,2'-biphenyl complexes featuring intramolecular dative bonding of the nominally inert and weakly coordinating trifluoromethyl group are described. Presence of these interactions is evidenced in the solid state using X-ray diffraction, with Rh @ F contacts of 2.36-2.45 angstrom, and in solution using NMR spectroscopy, through hindered C-CF3 bond rotation and the presence of time-averaged (1)J(RhF) and (2)J(PF) coupling.