Module 11 : Transition Metal Catalysis

Lecture 33 : Rhodium Catalysts


3.6.5.4 Cycloaddition

The cycloaddition reaction using chiral rhodium complexes finds wide applications in organic synthesis. Scheme 14 presents an example for chiral rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular [4+2]-cycloaddition reaction.

Scheme 15

Mechanism

The reaction takes place via oxidative cyclization (Scheme 16).

Scheme 16

3.6.5.5 Hydroformylation

Transition metal catalyzed hydroformylation of alkenes with carbon monoxide and hydrogen is an important tool for organic synthesis. The reaction is generally carried out at temperature between 40 and 120°C and total pressure between 10 and 100 atm, in the presence of catalytic amount of rhodium, cobalt or palladium catalysts (Scheme 17).

Scheme 17