Entrapment of rhodium complexes in inorganic or hybrid matrices via the sol-gel method

Rhodium complexes have been entrapped inside the porous systems of inorganic or hybrid matrices via the sol gel method. The resulting materials were tested as catalysts in hydroformylation reactions. The microporous materials could be recycled without any rhodium leaching, being active even in the absence of a solvent. High turnover numbers were obtained in the hydroformylation of either 1-hexene or 1-decene. However, the characteristics of the matrix could not be related to the addition ( or not) of a hybrid organic inorganic co-condensation agent, but appeared to depend on the nature of the rhodium complex.