The reaction of the rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(E)(PEt3)3] (E = GePh3 (1), Si(OEt)3 (5)) with HFO-1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) afforded [Rh(F)(PEt3)3] (2) and the functionalized olefins Z-CF3CH![[double bond, length as m-dash]](http://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e001.gif)
CH(E) (E = GePh3 (4a), Si(OEt)3 (7)). Conceivable reaction pathways were assessed using DFT calculations. Reactions of [Rh(E)(PEt3)3] with HFO-1234ze (E-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) yielded the rhodium fluorido complex 2 and [Rh{(E)-CHCH(CF3)}(PEt3)3] (9) via two different reaction pathways. Using complexes 1 and 5 as catalysts, functionalized building blocks were obtained.
