Catalytic Activity of Binuclear Compounds

A number of binuclear phosphine-ligand bridged complexes have been shown to function as catalysts or catalyst precursors. Here we review these cases briefly. More detailed coverage of hydrogenation and hydroformyla-tion using rhodium catalysts will appear in the next chapter. In all cases of catalytic activity shown by binuclear complexes, there is a serious question about the true identity of the catalytically active species. As with catalysis begun by metal carbonyl clusters, the possibility exists that a small amount of highly active mononuclear compound is the true catalyst. 

A brief report of the ability of (dpm)3Pt2 to catalyze reactions 24 and 25 has appeared.(Dpm)3Pt2 is also reported to be less effective 

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