Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 25, 2026

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
In Crystallo Hydrogenation of Nitrous Oxide Using a Rhodium(II) Hydride Complex
Thomas M Hood1, Sophie H Dewick1, Jie Liu2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K.
Abstract:
The stoichiometric and catalytic hydrogenation of nitrous oxide mediated by gas/solid reactions of rhodium(II) pincer complexes [Rh(PNP-tBu)X]+ (X = CH3, H, OH; PNP-tBu = 2,6-(tBu2PCH2)2C5H3N) is reported. A reaction sequence involving Rh(II)-CH3 → Rh(II)-H → Rh(II)-OH → Rh(II)-H bond interconversions has been structurally mapped out by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and verified by EPR spectroscopy. These rhodium(II) metalloradicals are sufficiently robust to catalyze the hydrogenation of nitrous oxide at room temperature with modest productivity (8.3 apparent turnovers). The relative rates of the stoichiometric transformations suggest that Rh-O bond hydrogenolysis is turnover-limiting.
More Related Videos
12:08Catalytic Reactions at Amine-Stabilized and Ligand-Free Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Titania During Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Aldehydes
Published on: June 24, 2022
10:52Line Shape Analysis of Dynamic NMR Spectra for Characterizing Coordination Sphere Rearrangements at a Chiral Rhenium Polyhydride Complex
Published on: July 27, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
Preparation of Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis of Nitriles
Preparation of Nitriles
Catalysis