Supported tetranuclear carbonyl clusters: 1. Framework distortion and catalytic activity in hydroformylation

Abstract

In comparison with the structural data determined by EXAFS, the catalytic activities of supported clusters Co4(CO)10 (PPh)2/SiO2 and PhCH2(CH3)3NFeCO3(CO)12/polystyrene have been investigated. Consistent increase (or decrease) between Co-Co bond distance and catalytic activity in hydroformylation suggests that the cleavage of the metal-metal bond is the first step towards the formation of the catalyst center and the cluster framework distortion is beneficial to the catalyst in raising the catalytic activity in hydroformylation.