H/D exchange between H-2-D2O and D-2-H2O catalyzed by water soluble tertiary phosphine complexes of ruthenium(II) and rhodium(I)

In aqueous solutions, [RuCl2(TPPMS)(2)](2) (TPPMS = 3-sulfonatophenyldiphen ylphosphine) catalyzes the exchange between H-2 and D2O or between D-4 and H2O with high efficiency (up to 1 252 turnovers per hour) under mild condit ions (298 K, 2 MPa H-2). The exchange rate strongly depends on the solution pH. Similar H/D exchange is observed with the water soluble tertiary phosp hine complexes [RhCl(TPPMS)(3)], [RhCl(TPPTS)(3)] and [RuCl2(PTA)(4)] as ca talysts (TPPTS = tris(3-sulfonatophenyl)phosphine. PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-pho sphadamantane) which, however, show lower activity. (C) 2000 Academie des s ciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS (C) 2000 Academi e des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.