Heterogeneous Hydrothiolation of Alkynes with Thiols Catalyzed by Diphosphino-Functionalized MCM-41 Anchored Rhodium Complex

A novel diphosphino-functionalized MCM-41 anchored rhodium complex [MCM-41-2P-RhCl(PPh3)] was conveniently synthesized by the reaction of diphosphino-functionalized MCM-41 (MCM-41-2P) with RhCl(PPh3)(3). It was found that this rhodium complex is an efficient catalyst for the hydrothiolation of terminal alkynes with thiols and can be recovered and recycled by a simple filtration of the reaction solution and used for at least ten consecutive trials without any decreases in activity.