Bis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium carbonyl chloride

Bis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium carbonyl chloride is the organorhodium complex with the formula [RhCl(CO)(PPh3)2].

This complex of rhodium(I) is a bright yellow, air-stable solid.

With regards to its structure, the complex is square planar with mutually trans triphenylphosphine (PPh3) ligands.

[2] However, it is typically produced by the carbonylation of Wilkinson's catalyst:[3] In homogeneous catalysis, this conversion is typically an undesirable side-reaction since [RhCl(CO)(PPh3)2] is a poor hydrogenation catalyst.

Bis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium carbonyl chloride is the precursor to tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium carbonyl hydride, an important catalyst for hydroformylation.