Structure and properties

Chemical formula: RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂

Molecular structure: Rhodium is the central atom, adopting a planar quadrilateral configuration, surrounded by a chlorine atom (Cl), a carbonyl group (CO) and two triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) ligands.

Coordination number: 4 (contributed by one Cl, one CO and two PPh₃)

Applications: 

Homogeneous catalysis:

Hydrogenation reaction: Chlorocarbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium is often used to hydrogenate olefins, alkynes and other unsaturated organic compounds, and can selectively add hydrogen.

Carbonylation reaction: It is an effective catalyst for the catalytic carbonylation (e.g., oxo reaction) of aldehydes, ketones and acid derivatives.

Hydration reaction: The complex can catalyze the hydration reaction of olefins, converting olefins into alcohols.

Cross-coupling reaction:

Chlorocarbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium shows good activity in certain cross-coupling reactions, especially those involving olefins and aromatic compounds.

Carbon-carbon bond formation:

The complex is very effective in promoting carbon-carbon bond formation reactions and is used in Suzuki, Heck and other reactions. Although these reactions are more commonly catalyzed by palladium, chlorocarbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium can also show unique advantages under certain conditions.

Organometallic chemistry research:

As a coordination compound, chlorocarbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium is widely used to study metal catalysis mechanisms and coordination chemistry. It helps scientists understand how transition metals interact with organic molecules and how to change reaction pathways through coordination chemistry.

Chiral synthesis:

By introducing chiral ligands into the complex structure, chlorocarbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium can be used to catalyze asymmetric synthesis reactions to generate chiral compounds, which is particularly important in pharmaceutical and natural product synthesis.

Probe biochemical reaction mechanism:

Due to its sensitivity to ligand changes and the clarity of active centers, chlorocarbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium is used to study biochemical reactions and help understand certain biocatalytic processes.

Technical Parameters

Chemical name: bis (triphenylphosphine) rhodium carbonyl chloride

Chemical formula: RhCl (CO) (PPh3) 2

CAS No.: 13938-94-8

Rhodium content wt%: 14.91

Molecular weight: 690.95

Melting point: 224-227℃  

Color and form: yellow crystal

Sensitivity: easy to decompose in the air.

Solubility: slightly soluble in ether and aliphatic hydrocarbons, sparingly soluble in benzene and carbon tetrachloride, easily soluble in chloroform, dichloromethane, acetone and ethanol.