Stereoselective homogeneous hydrogenation of arenes to cyclohexanes catalysed by [Rh(η5-C5Me5)Cl2]2
Abstract
[Rh(η5-C5Me5)Cl2]2 catalyses the hydrogenation of benzene and a variety of substituted benzenes to the appropriate cyclohexanes under homogeneous conditions (50 °C, 50 atm) in the presence of base (Et3N); the reaction is highly stereoselective and all-cis isomers are the chief products.