Thermoregulated phase-transfer rhodium nanoparticle catalyst for hydroaminomethylation of olefins

Abstract Rh nanoparticles used as catalysts for hydroaminomethylation reaction is reported for the first time. An efficient and recyclable Rh nanoparticle catalyst stabilized by thermoregulated ligand Ph 2 P(CH 2 CH 2 O) n CH 3 (n = 16) was studied for the hydroaminomethylation of olefins in the aqueous/1-butanol biphasic system through thermoregulated phase-transfer catalysis, which allows not only for a homogeneous catalytic reaction, but also for an easy biphasic separation. Under the optimized conditions, the conversion of 1-octene and the product amine selectivity were as high as 99% and 97%, respectively. After reaction, the Rh nanoparticle catalyst can be separated from products by simple phase separation and recycled directly for the next run.