Coordination compounds, such as the rhodium complex [(Ph₃P)₃RhCl], known as the Wilkinson catalyst, serve as catalysts in industrial processes. This complex is used for the hydrogenation of alkenes.
How are coordination compounds utilized as catalysts in industrial processes, and provide an example of a complex used for the hydrogenation of alkenes?
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Coordination compounds serve as catalysts in industrial processes due to their ability to undergo reversible reactions and provide a pathway with lower activation energy. In the hydrogenation of alkenes, a complex like Wilkinson’s catalyst (chlorotris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I)) is employed. This rhodium complex facilitates the addition of hydrogen to alkenes, converting them into alkanes. The metal center coordinates with the reactants, promoting the reaction and enhancing selectivity. Coordination compounds as catalysts offer efficiency, regioselectivity, and mild reaction conditions, making them valuable in industrial processes for the production of various chemicals and pharmaceuticals.