Promoter effect of iron on olefin hydroformylation catalyzed by silica-supported rhodium-iron bimetallic carbonyl clusters: Rh-Fe3+ bimetallic activation of catalytic carbon monoxide insertion

Abstract

Rh-Fe bimetallic carbonyl clusters have been employed as precursor for the preparation of Rh-Fe bimetallic catalysts. The structural properties of the Rh-Fe bimetallic cluster supported on SiO/sub 2/ were studied by means of Moessbauer and ir spectroscopy of chemisorbed CO. The results reported for the hydroformylation of ethylene and propylene indicate that the Rh-Fe/sup 3 +/ species derived from SiO/sub 2/-supported Rh-Fe carbonyl clusters are highly active for migratory CO insertion. These catalysts also enhanced the simple hydrogenation reactions. The activity and selectivity of the catalysts is thought to be due to the bi-site interaction with C- and O-bonded CO that is reflected in Fe promotion for C/sub 1/-C/sub 2/ alcohol production from CO and H/sub 2/ catalyzed on the Rh-Fe catalysts. 20 references, 1 table.