Biphasic hydroformylation of olefins by the new binuclear water soluble rhodium complex [Rh(μ-Pz)(CO)(TPPTS)]2

The synthesis and full characterization of the new water soluble complex [Rh(μ-Pz)(CO)(TPPTS)]2 is described. This complex was obtained by ligand exchange procedures and characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 1H{31P}-NMR, and 31P-NMR. These analyses confirmed that there are two pyrazolate bridging ligands in an exobidentate orientation, giving to the complex a C2v symmetry. The complex was active in the catalytic hydroformylation of 1-hexene, styrene, allylbenzene, 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene, cyclohexene and their mixtures. Experiments shows that the binuclear complex is recyclable and resistant to possible sulphur poisons added to the reaction mixtures.