Structural characterisation of solution species implicated in the rhodium-catalysed carbonylation of methanol by Rh K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy
Abstract
Rhodium K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis has shown that [{Rh(COMe)I3(CO)}2]2– exists in tetrahydrofuran solution at –20 °C, but fragments above 0 °C to [Rh(COMe)I3(CO)(solv)]–; when solv = MeOH, the solution structure shows a substantial trans influence (0.2 Å) on the Rh–I bond trans to the Rh–COMe group.