GoKawiilZeolite-confined Rh catalyst achieves record selectivity in hydroformylation reaction
Researchers confined subnanometre Rh2O3 clusters inside MFI zeolite channels, where they break apart into isolated Rh3+ and Rh+ species under reaction conditions. By adding nitrogen-containing molecules like N-methylpyrrolidine or 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, the team selectively blocked the Rh+ sites responsible for unwanted double-bond isomerization while keeping Rh3+ sites active for hydroformylation. The result was a linear-to-branched aldehyde ratio of 817 with 96% undecanal selectivity at 99.8% conversion of 1-decene, using NMP as the additive.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Industrial hydroformylation currently relies on homogeneous rhodium catalysts with costly, toxic phosphine ligands, so a heterogeneous alternative that matches or exceeds their selectivity could simplify catalyst recovery and reduce reliance on hazardous ligands. The researchers' approach of chemically distinguishing between two coexisting metal species within a single catalyst suggests a broader strategy for tuning selectivity in heterogeneous catalysis without needing separate catalyst designs. If reproducible at scale, this could influence how chemical manufacturers approach aldehyde production for detergents, plasticizers and other downstream products.
- Rh2O3 clusters confined in MFI zeolite disperse into Rh3+ and Rh+ species that behave differently in hydroformylation
- Adding N-methylpyrrolidine or 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone selectively suppresses Rh+ sites' isomerization activity, boosting regioselectivity
- The system achieved a linear-to-branched ratio of 817 with 96% undecanal selectivity at 99.8% conversion, a reported best result
Source: nature.com — Zhao, 2026-10-14
Published there as: “Rh<sup>3+</sup> stabilized in KRh@MFI catalyses regioselective hydroformylation”
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