The use of 2H NMR in the elucidation of the catalytic pathway of the hydroformylation reaction

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(91)80165-G

Differences in the behaviour of the metal-alkyl intermediates involved in the deuterioformylation of styrene in the presence of Co2(CO)8 or Rh4(CO)12 as catalytic precursors, have been readily revealed by 2H NMR analysis of the crude mixtures present after partial conversion.The results clearly demonstrate the value of this simple method for mechanistic studies of catalytic reactions.