Chemical Properties
yellow crystals
Uses
Used for cyclometallation.
Application
Used as catalyst for carbonylation，decarbonylation, carbonyl exchange, reduction, hydrometalation, and C-H activation
reactions; reagent for alkylation of acid chlorides.
reaction suitability
core: rhodium
reagent type: catalyst
Synthesis
To a solution of RhCl3.3H2O (2 g, 7.6 mmol) in 70 mL of absolute ethanol is slowly added
triphenylphosphine (7.2 g, 2.75 mmol) in 300 mL of boiling absolute ethanol. The solution becomes clear within 5 min, at
which point sufficient (10-20 mL) 37% formaldehyde solution is added, causing the red solution to become pale yellow. After
several minutes, yellow microcrystals precipitate. Upon cooling, the resulting crystals are washed with ethanol and diethyl
ether, dried (4.5 g, 85%) and recrystallized from hot toluene.
storage
The complex is air-stable as a crystalline solid and can be stored without special precautions. In solution it readily reacts with oxygen, which therefore must be excluded during preparation and use of this reagent.
