Synthesis of a dirhodium(I) bisimidazolium carbene complex and catalytic activity toward hydroformylation of olefins. High-pressure NMR spectroscopy of the catalyst under catalytic conditions

A new dirhodium(I) bisimidazolium-carbene complex has been obtained and fully characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex has been used as catalyst in hydroformylation reactions, showing selectivity on the branched aldehyde. High-pressure NMR spectroscopy provides evidence that the dinuclear unit is maintained under catalytic conditions.