Isomerization of Hexene Using Dihydridorhodium Complex in Dimethyl Sulfoxide

Abstract

The isomerization of 1-hexene with a dihydrido (1, 3-diphenyltriazenido)bis (triphenylphosphine) rhodium (11) (dihydridorhodium complex)-dimethyl sulfoxide (DM50) system was studied under a pressure of 1 atm hydrogen or nitrogen at 30 °C. The composition of the isomerization and hydrogenation of 1-hexene decreased in the order, trans-2-hexene > cis-2-hexene v hexane under a hydrogen atmosphere. On the other hand, under a nitrogen atmosphere, the reaction products were found to be in the order, cis-2-hexene > trans-2-hexene at initial stage. The isomerization of 1-hexene under a nitrogen atmosphere was slower than the conversion of reaction products under a hydrogene atmosphere.
The results are discussed in terms of the mechanism of isomerization reaction.