1. Organometallic Chemistry. 2
Catalysis

2. Organometallic Chemistry. The Players
Introducing Wilkinson’s Catalyst, RhCl(PPh3)3

3. Organometallic Chemistry. The Players
Understanding Wilkinson’s Catalyst, RhCl(PPh3)3
Analyze electronic structure

4. Organometallic Chemistry. The Players
Understanding Wilkinson’s Catalyst, RhCl(PPh3)3
RhCl3(H2O) excess PPh3
Analyze Reaction
RhCl3(H2O) PPh3
RhCl3(PPh3) O=PPh3
+ 2 HCl
+ 2 H2O

5. Organometallic Chemistry. The Players
(Actually it’s more complicated…)
RhCl3(H2O) excess PPh3
heat
Reaction Conditions?

6. Organometallic Chemistry. The Play
So what does Wilkinson’s catalyst do?
Make a prediction?

7. Organometallic Chemistry. The Plot

8. Organometallic Chemistry. The Deception

9. ? Organometallic Chemistry. Your play 1. Make the catalyst: heat
RhCl3(H2O) excess PPh3
heat
2. Investigate this Reaction: ?
+ RCHO
Mild heat
Rh product ppts
Filter; save filtrate
Take IR and NMR of ppt
ESI-MS of ppt
Propose reaction

10. Organometallic Chemistry. Next Week
1. Catalytic Olefin Hydrogenation
2. Analyze filtrate by GC-MS: does it confirm your proposed reaction?