Catalytic isomerization of safflower oil with rhodium complexes

Cationic rhodium (I) complexes of the type [(NBD)RhL2]+ ClO4− (NBD, norbornadiene; L, triphenyl phosphine or diphenyl phosphino ethane) have been studied as catalysts for the isomerization of methyl linoleate and safflower oil. The catalysts gave very good yields of conjugated products with both oil and methyl linoleate. Isomerization could be carried out under very mild conditions (55–65 C, 1 atm N2). Although the catalyst undergoes transformation in the course of the reaction, it maintains its catalytic activity. In fact, the catalysts isolated from the reaction with safflower oil were recycled with practically no loss of activity.