Synthesis and characterization of a recoverable rhodium catalyst with a stimulus sensitive polymer ligand

We report the synthesis and characterization of a rhodium catalyst attached to a polymer which is designed to control catalyst reactivity in response to an applied stimulus. The catalyst precursor, Rh(Cl)(CO)2(NH2-polymer), was prepared from poly N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAAm) and [Rh(Cl)(CO)2]2. The structure of the metal complex was interrogated using IR, Raman, UV/Vis, NMR and XAFS, and catalytic activity was tested using an aqueous hydrogenation reaction.