The structure of iridium carbonyl complexes trapped within the zeolite cavities and the reactivity of these species towards the methanol carbonylation have been investigated. Ir(NH 3) 5Cl 2+-exchanged NaY zeolite upon thermal decomposition is converted into an Ir(OH) x species. The carbonylation of iridium was followed by quantitative measurement of the 12CO uptake, infrared spectra of the reaction with 12CO, 13CO, and a mixture of 12CO 13CO. Ir(I)(CO) 3 was found to be very active and selective for the vapor phase carbonylation of methanol at atmospheric pressure in the presence of methyl iodide.
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