The synthesis of florinated rhodium-phosphine complexes which are soluble in the supercritical carbon dioxide and investigating catalytical properties

In this study, [(R)-BINAP]-Rh(COD)]+ BArF-, [(R)-(m-Rf-Ph2)2-BINAP]-Rh(COD)]+BArF-, [(R)-(6,6?-Rf)2-BINAP]-Rh(COD)]+BArF- [(R)-(6,6?-Rf)2-)-(m-Rf-Ph2)2-BINAP]-Rh(COD)]+BArF- and [(R)-(m-Rf-Ph2)2-BINAP/PS-PEG resin-supported]-Rh(COD)]+BArF- were synthesized as fluorous derivatives (Rf=C8F17) of rhodium-BINAP complexes and characterized by using spectroscopic methods such as UV, FT-IR, 1H, 19F, 13C and 31P NMR. The catalysts are quite soluble in scCO2 at the conditions of 343 oK, 1750 psi pressure except [(R)-(m-Rf-Ph2)2-BINAP/PS-PEG resin-supported]-Rh(COD)]+BArF-. Furthermore, the catalysts in the cylindrical stainless steel reactor (100 mL capacity) was tested in the hydrogenation of the styrene in scCO2 at the conditions of 343 oK, 1750 psi pressure, substrate/catalyst= 500 (molar ratio). The [(R)-BINAP]-Rh(COD)]+ BArF-, [(R)-(m-Rf-Ph2)2-BINAP]-Rh(COD)]+BArF-, [(R)-(6,6?-Rf)2-BINAP]-Rh(COD)]+BArF- and [(R)-(m-Rf-Ph2)2-BINAP/PS-PEG resin-supported]-Rh(COD)]+BArF- catalysts performed activity between 99% and 15% ratio conversion of styrene into ethyl benzene. However, the [(R)-(6,6?-Rf)2-)-(m-Rf-Ph2)2-BINAP]-Rh(COD)]+BArF- catalyst did not carry out any activities. Conversions were determined by GC analysis.