Cobalt-catalyzed hydroformylation of olefins in the presence of xenon: Newexperimental evidence for metal-xenon adducts

The rate of cobalt-catalyzed hydroformylation of cyclohexene to cyclohexane carboxaldehyde is significantly reduced when xenon is added to the reaction mixture at a concentration similar to that of the olefin. No significant e ffect is produced by helium or neon under similar conditions. These experim ents suggest competitive coordination of xenon to the catalytically active cobalt species.