Synthesis and Solid-State NMR Characterization of a Robust, Pyridyl-Based Immobilized Wilkinson’s Type Catalyst with High Catalytic Performance

A novel strategy for the immobilization of Wilkinson’s catalyst on silica nanoparticles is presented, employing pyridyl linkers as anchoring groups. The coordination binding of the catalyst to the pyridyl linker via ligand exchange of the trans-phosphine group is verified by 1 D and 2 D solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Catalytic activities are monitored by GC employing the hydrogenation of styrene as model reaction, and the leaching properties as well as the robustness of the catalyst are investigated. The resulting immobilized catalyst shows high catalytic activity, which is within a factor of three comparable to the homogeneous catalyst, and excellent stability in leaching tests. Finally, it is efficient to produce hyperpolarization in solution by employing parahydrogen-enriched hydrogen gas for hydrogenation.