The first stable rhodium complex having a β-ketophosphenato ligand, which is a heavier congener of a β-ketoiminato ligand, has been synthesized and characterized. Comparison of properties between rhodium β-ketophosphenates 2
and rhodium β-ketoiminate 4 revealed the unique character of
the β-ketophosphenato ligand, where the trans influence of the
phosphorus atom should be stronger than the nitrogen atom of
the β-ketoiminato ligand.