Synthesis, reactivity and catalytic properties of rhodium complexes of (R,R)-1-benzyl-3,4-dithioetherpyrrolidines

Complexes [Rh(cod)(degusR)]ClO4, where cod is 1,5-cyclooctadiene and degusR represents the homochiral dithioethers (R,R)-1-benzyl-3,4-bis(methylsulfan yl)pyrrolidine, (R,R)-1-benzyl-3,4-bis(isopropylsulfanyl)pyrrolidine and (R ,R)-1-benzyl-3,4-bis(phenylsulfanyl)pyrrolidine were prepared and character ized. Their reactivity with CO and PPh3 was investigated. The complexes wer e assayed as catalysts in hydroformylation of styrene, hydrogenation of acr ylic acids and hydroboration of styrene. Although these complexes containin g dithioethers behave as catalytic precursors in hydroformylation reaction, the results suggest that mononuclear hydride rhodium carbonyl species is r esponsible for the catalytic activity. The cationic complexes are not activ e in the hydrogenation of acrylic acids in the conditions tested. These com plexes are moderately active in the hydroboration of styrene with catecholb orane, but their selectivities are not satisfactory. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce S.A. All rights reserved.