Chloro(1,5-cyclooctadiene)rhodium(I) dimer
[CAS# 12092-47-6]

Identification

• Classification: Organic raw materials >> Organometallic compound >> Organic rhodium
• Name: Chloro(1,5-cyclooctadiene)rhodium(I) dimer
• Synonyms: Bis(1,5-cyclooctadienerhodium chloride)
• Molecular Formula: C₁₆H₂₄Cl₂Rh₂
• Molecular Weight: 493.08
• CAS Registry Number: 12092-47-6
• EC Number: 235-157-6
• SMILES: C1/C=CCC/C=CC1.C1/C=CCC/C=CC1.[Cl-].[Cl-].[Rh].[Rh]

Properties

• Melting point: 255 °C (dec.)

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS07;GHS09 Warning
• Risk Statements: H302-H315-H317-H319-H335
• Safety Statements: P261-P264-P264+P265-P270-P271-P272-P280-P301+P317-P302+P352-P304+P340-P305+P351+P338-P319-P321-P330-P332+P317-P333+P317-P337+P317-P362+P364-P403+P233-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	2	H411
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2A	H319

Discovery and Applications

Chloro(1,5-cyclooctadiene)rhodium(I) dimer, commonly known as RhCOD, is a key discovery in the field of organometallic chemistry. The compound was first synthesized in the mid-20th century and identified as a coordination complex of rhodium with 1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD) ligands. Its molecular structure consists of a rhodium atom coordinated to two COD ligands and a chloride ion to form a dimer structure with a bridging chlorine atom between the rhodium centers. This unique structure confers specific chemical reactivity and catalytic properties, which has attracted great attention from researchers. RhCOD dimerizes under typical laboratory conditions to form a stable structure that is easy to store and handle. The presence of π-bonded COD ligands enhances its stability and promotes reversible coordination with various organic substrates. This property makes RhCOD a versatile catalyst in various organic transformations, especially in catalytic hydrogenation and polymerization reactions.

One of the iconic applications of RhCOD is in catalytic hydrogenation processes. The complex exhibits high catalytic activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation of olefins, alkynes, and carbonyl compounds. Its ability to promote hydrogen transfer under mild conditions makes it a catalyst of choice for the synthesis of fine chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates.

In addition to hydrogenation, RhCOD can be used in other catalytic processes, including carbon-carbon bond formation and asymmetric synthesis. Its utility extends to specialty chemical production, such as chiral building blocks and pharmaceuticals, where precise control of stereochemistry and reactivity is critical.

Beyond catalysis, RhCOD has also facilitated advances in materials science, particularly in the development of novel materials with tailored properties. Its role in polymerization reactions enables the synthesis of functional polymers and copolymers with enhanced mechanical strength and thermal stability for a variety of industrial applications.

References

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