RHODIUM(III) BIPHASIC AND PHASE-TRANSFER-CATALYZED HYDROGENOLYSIS OF CHLOROARENES UNDER EXCEPTIONALLY MILD CONDITIONS

The rhodium(III) complexes L2Rh(H)Cl2 ]L = tricyclohexylphosphine or triisopropylphosphine] are excellent catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of chloroarenes. The reaction proceeds under biphasic [40% NaOH, PhCH3] conditions, or to give somewhat higher product yields, under phase-transfer conditions, using benzyltriethylammonium chloride as the quaternary ammonium salt. The reaction occurs under mild conditions, and many functional groups [e.g. R, OR, CF3, COAr, COOH, NH2] are compatible for the carbon-chlorine bond cleavage process.