Preparation of Rhodium Nanoparticles in Carbon Dioxide Induced Ionic Liquids and their Application to Selective Hydrogenation

In the trap: Catalytically active nanoparticles can be generated and stabilized in solid ionic matrices with the aid of supercritical CO2. The method allows the use of simple ammonium salts that would not be classified as ionic liquids, and results in solid and easily handled catalyst materials. These materials can selectively catalyze the hydrogenation of highly sterically encumbered aromatic olefins.