The binding and activation of carbon monoxide by rhodium halide complexes

Abstract

The action of carbon monoxide on aqueous hydrochloric acid solutions of Rh^III produces initially Rh^IIICl₅CO^2–, which undergoes a further reductive carbonylation reaction to give Rh^I(CO)₂Cl₂ ^–; the coordinated CO in the Rh^I complex is readily oxidized to CO₂ by molecular oxygen.