Polymer supported rhodium carbonyl complex catalyzed carbonylation of glycerol for the synthesis of carboxylic acids

A new polymer anchored Rh(I) complex has been synthesized and characterized. The catalytic performance of the complex has been tested for the carbonylation of glycerol under carbon monoxide atmosphere to give butyric and isobutyric acids. The effects of temperature, CO pressure, reaction time and the catalyst amount are reported. This catalyst showed excellent activity and recyclability being easily recovered by filtration and reused more than five times without appreciable loss of its initial activity. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.