NITROBENZENE REDUCTION CATALIZED BY SOLUBLE CARBONYLRHODIUM COMPLEXES OF METHYL AND DIMETHYL PYRIDINE LIGANDS

The catalytic reduction of nitrobenzene by rhodium(I) complexes of the type cis-[Rh(CO) 2 (amine) 2 ](PF 6 ) (amine = 2-methylpyridine, 3-methylpyridine, 4-methylpyridine, or 2,6-dimethylpyridine) in methanol under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide is described. A single organic product, aniline, is seen in the post-reaction mixture. The amount of product formed depends upon the nature of the amine coordinated to the rhodium center.