Synthesis of a water-soluble thio-triazole ligand for biphase rhodium catalyzed hydroformylation of styrene

An environmentally safe water-soluble new ligand (2-(1-(2-(methylthio)ethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)ethanol) (ligand 1) has been synthesized by the click reaction between (2-azidoethyl)(methyl)sulfane and 3-butyn-1-ol. The structure of the novel ligand was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy. In situ combination of ligand 1 with [Rh(COD)Cl]2 and [Rh (CO)2(acac)] (Rh: ligand = 1: 4) successfully employed for the biphasic catalytic hydroformylation of styrene. The formation of branched 2-phenylpropanol was confirmed by gas chromatogphic analysis. The recycled catalytic aqueous phase can be used three runs with remarkable catalytic efficiency.