Synthesis of a Dirhodium(I) Bisimidazolium Carbene Complex and Catalytic Activity toward Hydroformylation of Olefins. High-Pressure NMR Spectroscopy of the Catalyst under Catalytic Conditions

A new dirhodium(I) bisimidazolium-carbene complex has been obtained and fully characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex has been used as catalyst in hydroformylation reactions, showing selectivity on the branched aldehyde. High-pressure NMR spectroscopy provides evidence that the dinuclear unit is maintained under catalytic conditions.