A comparison of homogeneous and biphasic hydrogenation systems of macrocyclic lactones with in situ formed rhodium complexes

Abstract

Homogeneous and biphasic hydrogenation of avermectins catalyzed by rhodium complexes in situ formed from [RhCl(COD)]2 and triphenylphosphine or sulphonated arylphosphines, respectively, was studied under mild reaction conditions. Effects of adding TBAB and bis-QACs as phase transfer agents, Tween® 80 as non-ionic surfactant, β-cyclodextrin as inverse phase-transfer agent, and triphenylphosphine as co-ligand, are reported for the biphasic system.