Hydridotetrakis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I) is the coordination complex with the formula HRh[P(C6H5)3]4. It consists of a Rh(I) center complexed to four triphenylphosphine (PPh3) ligands and one hydride. The molecule has idealized C3v symmetry. The compound is a homogeneous catalyst for hydrogenation and related reactions. It is a yellow solid that dissolves in aromatic solvents.
Preparation In the presence of base, H2, and additional triphenylphosphine, Wilkinson's catalyst (chloridotris(triphenylphosphane)rhodium(I)) converts to HRh(PPh3)4:
RhCl(PPh3)3 + H2 + KOH + PPh3 → RhH(PPh3)4 + H2O + KCl
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