The Synthesis and Application of Anchored Catalysts in Hydrogen Isotope Exchange Systems. D₂ – Protic Solvent Exchange

Abstract

A number of polymer-attached, or anchored, catalysts of rhodium and ruthenium have been synthesized, and their activities for D2 exchange with ethanol have been measured. Among the rhodium anchored catalysts, three exhibited specific activity comparable to Wilkinson's catalyst, RhCl(PPh3)3. No polymer-attached ruthenium species had specific activities close to that of the active homogeneous catalyst RuCl2(PPh3)3. Conditions for the synthesis and optimum loading of complexing resins are discussed. Structural and kinetic comparisons are made between anchored catalysts and their homogeneous analogs.