Homogeneous Catalysis of Mixed-Metal Systems. Highly Regioselective Hydroformylation-Amidocarbonylation of a Fluoro Olefin Catalyzed by Co-Rh Mixed-Metal Systems. Observation of CoRh(CO)₇Catalysis

The hydroformylation-amidocarbonylation of a fluoro olefin, C₆F₅CH=CH₂, catalyzed by Co₂(CO)₈-rhodium carbonyl systems proceeds with excellent regioselectivity. The process includes a unique Co-Rh mixed-metal complex, CoRh(CO)₇, as an active catalyst species whose presence is revealed by the high-pressure IR study in the actual reaction system. The mechanism of this novel mixed-metal complex catalyzed process is discussed. The relative catalytic activities of CoRh(CO)₇, rhodium carbonyl, and cobalt carbonyl are estimated on the basis of the kinetic measurements as well as the analysis of regioselectivities attained by these three catalyst species.