P-31 NMR SPIN-LATTICE RELAXATION-TIMES AS AN INDIRECT PROBE OF ADSORBED WATER IN SUPPORTED AQUEOUS-PHASE CATALYSTS

Phosphorus-31 spin lattice relaxation times, T-1's, for SAP hydroformy lation catalysts derived from HRh(CO) (TPPTS)(3) and TPPTS (TPPTS = tr isulfonated triphenyl phosphine trisodium salt) are consistent with a liquid-like character for the supported aqueous phase. The T-1 for sol id TPPTS is 1150 s while for TPPTS in a supported aqueous phase T-1 va ries from 220 to 4.9 s. A T-1 of 4.9 a is close to the value obtained for TPPTS in solution and is observed at a H2O/P ratio of 24.9. At thi s level of water content previously reported SAP catalysts have shown maximum catalytic activity for the hydroformylation of olefins.