A protein-rhodium complex as an efficient catalyst for two-phase olefin hydroformylation

A highly efficient and chemoselective biphasic hydroformylation of olefins was accomplished using water soluble complexes formed by the interaction between Rh(CO)(2)(acac) and human serum albumin (HSA), a readily available water soluble protein. A new type of shape-selectivity was observed in the hydroformylation of sterically hindered olefins. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.