Reversible cyclometalation at RhIas a motif for metal–ligand bifunctional bond activation and base-free formic acid dehydrogenationElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Spectroscopic, crystallographic, catalytic and computational details. See DOI: 10.1039/c5cy01505g

Reversible cyclometalation is demonstrated as a strategy for the activation of small protic molecules, with a proof-of-principle catalytic application in the dehydrogenation of formic acid in the absence of an exogenous base. The well-defined RhIcomplex Rh(CO)(L) 1, bearing the reactive cyclometalated PN(C) ligand L(LH= PNCH= 2-di(tert-butylphosphinomethyl)-6-phenylpyridine), undergoes protonolysis of the Rh–CPhbond with weak protic reagents, such as thiols and trifluoromethanesulfonamide. This system also displays bifunctional metal–ligand protonolysis reactivity with formic acid and subsequent decarboxylation of the formate complex. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that H2evolution from putative Rh(CO)(H)(LH) complex Ais very facile, proposedly encompassing formal C–H oxidative addition at Rh to give Cviaagostic intermediate Band subsequent reductive elimination of H2. Complex 1is a catalytically competent species for base-free formic acid dehydrogenation, with the intermediacy of formate complex 4. DFT calculations reveal accessible barriers for involvement of a flanking phenyl group for both initial activation of formic acid and release of H2, supporting a cooperative pathway. Reversible C–H activation is thus a viable mechanism for metal–ligand bifunctional catalysis.