A DFT study of the role of water in the rhodium-catalyzed hydrogenation of acetone†
Abstract
The positive effect of the addition of water to acetone hydrogenation by [RhH2(PR3)2S2]+ catalysts has been studied by DFT calculations. The studied energetic profiles reveal that the more favourable mechanistic path involves a hydride migration to the ketone followed by a reductive elimination that is assisted by two water molecules.