Selective formation of lower alkenes and alcohols in CO + H2 reaction catalysed on NaY zeolite-encapsulated Rh6 and RhFe bimetallic cluster-derived catalysts

Abstract

NaY zeolite encapsulated Rh₆ clusters characterized by EXAFS and Fourier transform i.r. spectroscopy led to the selective formation of C₂–C₄ alkenes in the reaction of CO + H₂ under atmospheric pressure, whereas RhFe carbonyl clusters synthesized in NaY showed a unique activity for formation of a mixture of ethanol and methanol.