Preparation of a novel optically active 8,8′-bi-isoquinolyl and its co-ordination as a bridging ligand in rhodium(I) complexes

A novel optically active 7,7′-dimethoxy-8,8′-bi-isoquinolyl (5) with known absolute configuration has been prepared and has been found to co-ordinate to RhI as a bridging ligand in [RhCl(cod)]2[µ-(±)-(5)](6) and {Rh2(cod)2[µ-(+)-(5)]2}(CIO4)2(8)(cod = cyclo-octa-1,5-diene).