Rhodium Carbonyl Chloride Dimer

Basic Information of Rhodium Carbonyl Chloride Dimer

CAS No.	14523-22-9
EC No.	238-541-3
Chemical Formula	[Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂
Molecular Weight	388.76 g/mol
Appearance	Bright red to orange-red crystalline powder
Odor	Odorless (CO odor may develop upon decomposition)
Melting point	Decomposes before melting (~200 °C)
Boiling point	Not applicable (decomposes)
Density	approx. 2.4 g/cm³
Solubility	Insoluble in water; soluble in benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform
Nature (hazards)	Harmful if swallowed, may cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life, CO-releasing upon decomposition, air-sensitive in solution
RIDADR	Not regulated (not subject to transport regulations as hazardous material in many classifications)
Chemical Structure

Primary Applications of Rhodium Carbonyl Chloride Dimer

[Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ is a foundational Rh(I) precursor, readily converted to active mononuclear rhodium species for key industrial and synthetic catalytic processes.

1. Hydroformylation (Oxo Process) Catalysis
   Serves as the primary rhodium source for preparing highly active hydroformylation catalysts, enabling efficient conversion of alkenes to aldehydes in large-scale oxo-alcohol production for plasticizers and detergents.

2. Carbonylation & Acylation Reactions
   Used to generate rhodium carbonyl catalysts for carbonylation of alcohols to esters/acids and related acylation processes in fine chemical and pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis.

3. Organometallic Complex Synthesis
   Acts as starting material for preparing substituted rhodium carbonyl phosphine complexes (e.g., Wilkinson's catalyst analogs) and other Rh(I) species in coordination chemistry research.

4. Supported Rhodium Catalyst Preparation
   Employed in impregnation or thermal decomposition to deposit Rh on carbon, alumina, or silica supports for heterogeneous hydroformylation and hydrogenation catalysis.

5. Pharmaceutical & Fine Chemical Synthesis
   Applied in Rh-catalyzed carbonylation and reduction steps for key intermediates in API manufacturing, offering high selectivity and functional group compatibility.

6. Catalyst Development & Mechanistic Studies
   Serves as a standard Rh(I) source for ligand screening, in-situ catalyst generation, and mechanistic investigations in academic and industrial catalysis R&D.

• High Rhodium Content Consistency
  Rigorous analytical controls guarantee accurate Rh assay, minimal impurities, and batch-to-batch reproducibility for dependable catalytic performance.

• Secure Precious Metal Sourcing
  Transparent, responsible rhodium procurement with inventory buffering to provide supply stability and competitive pricing.

• Technical Catalysis Support
  Dedicated specialists offer guidance on ligand substitution, catalyst activation, hydroformylation optimization, and scale-up for maximum efficiency.

• Full Regulatory Compliance
  Comprehensive COA, REACH, RoHS, and detailed SDS documentation to facilitate seamless integration into global operations and audits.

• Sustainability & Recycling Programs
  Ethical sourcing practices and rhodium recovery/recycling programs aligned with ESG objectives and circular economy principles.

Hazards Classification

• GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity, Oral (Category 4); Aquatic Chronic (Category 4)

• Hazard Statements: H302: Harmful if swallowed; H413: May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life

• UN Number: Not regulated

• Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous for transport

• Packing Group: Not applicable