The complexation of N-phthaloyl, N-formyl, and N,N-dimethyl derivatives of S-methylcysteine methyl ester (both racemic and optically pure) with three dimeric rhodium(II) salts, acetate Rh2AcO4, trifluoroacetate Rh(2)TFA(4), and (R)-(+)--methoxy--trifluoromethylphenylacetate Rh(2)Mosh(4) was investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) at room and lower temperatures. The complexation was carried out in situ, in CDCl3 solution using titration procedure; the results were examined by the analysis of H-1 and C-13 NMR chemical shift change (). The complexation of free S-methyl cysteine and hydrochloride salt of its methyl ester was performed in D2O solution. For comparison, complexation of some derivatives of leucine, phenylalanine, and proline was examined.N-phthaloyl and N-formyl derivatives of cysteine formed 1:1 and 1:2 axial complexes with all dirhodium salts. Rhodium substrates were bonded via sulfur. In one case, the complexation of Rh(2)TFA(4) by both sulfur and N-formyl oxygen was noted. Similar complexation of Rh(2)TFA(4), via CHO group, was found for N-formyl derivatives of leucine, phenylalanine, and proline. For N,N-dimethyl derivative of cysteine, both N and S atoms were involved in bonding. At room temperature, in all cases, ligand exchange was fast on the NMR timescale. [GRAPHICS] .