NOVEL ACTIVE DIRHODIUM COMPLEXES FOR THE LOW-PRESSURE HYDROFORMYLATION REACTION - UNEXPECTED INHIBITING EFFECT OF HIGH PARTIAL PRESSURES OF HYDROGEN

The complex [Rh2(mu-StBu)2(CO)2(PPh3)2] was shown to be an active precursor for the low pressure hydroformylation of terminal alkenes in the presence of an excess of triphenylphosphine. Preliminary kinetic studies have shown that as usual has CO an inhibiting effect, but unexpectedly the reaction was also inhibited by high H-2/CO ratios.