Transition‐metal complexes with bidentate ligands spanning trans‐positions. V. Crystal and molecular structures of complexes [RhCl(CO) (1)] and [PdCl2(1)]; 1 = 2,11‐bis (diphenylphosphinomethyl)benzo [c]phenanthrene

The structures of [RhCl(CO) (1)] and [PdCl2 (1)], where 1 is the bidentate ligand (C6H5)2P·CH2·C18H10· CH2·P(C6H5)2, have been determined from threedimensional X‐ray counter data collected on single crystals of the C6H5·CN solvates. The two compounds are isomorphous and crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P 1, Z = 2: a = 14.580 (8), b = 13.029 (10), c = 11.909 (6) Å, α = 106.33 (5), β = 100.47 (4), γ = 95.73 (5)° for the rhodium complex; a = 14.361 (5), b = 13.044 (7), c = 11.897 (4) Å, α = 105.97 (4), β = 100.27 (3), γ = 94.76 (4)°, for the palladium complex. In both complexes the metal atom is four‐coordinate with slightly distorted square‐planar configuration. In both cases the ligand 1 spans trans positions with M‐P bond lengths in the ranges of the literature data. Also the other bond distances fall in regular ranges. Ligand 1 has almost the same conformation in both complexes and is characterized by a strong out‐of‐plane deformation of the benzophenanthrene system as a consequence of severe overcrowding.