Mass spectrometry of transition metal π-complexes Communication 36. (η4-Norbornadiene)(acetylacetonato)rhodium(I) derivatives

1. A mass spectral study of (norbornadiene)(acetylacetonato)rhodium derivatives showed that [Rh-norbornadiene]+ ions are more stable than [acacRh]+ ions. The decomposition of the molecular ions of these compounds with cleavage of the metal-ligand bonds is accompanied by a series of hydrogen rearrangements due to the migration of a hydrogen atom from the ligands to the metal atom or another ligand. 2. The greatest stability among the fragment ions, in which the bond of the metal atom with both ligands is retained, is found for ions characterized by a 16-electron shell of the rhodium atom and its oxidation state of +3.