PHOSPHINERHODIUM COMPLEXES AS HOMOGENEOUS CATALYSTS XI. DECARBONYLATION OF PRIMARY ALCOHOLS USED AS SOLVENTS UNDER CONDITIONS OF OLEFIN HYDROGENATION; A SIDE REACTION LEADING TO CATALYST DEACTIVATION

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0022-328X(00)94429-2

In the hydrogenation of olefins in alcoholic solvents catalysed by phosphinerhodium complexes a hydrogen transfer reaction from the alcohols to the olefins takes place alongside the main reaction.With primary alcohols the aldehydes formed are decarbonylated and the in situ catalysts formed from 2 and phosphines are partially converted into Rh(CO)(PR3)2Cl type complexes and thereby deactivated.