High-Purity Wilkinson's Catalyst from Aure Chemical – Your Trusted Source
Wilkinson's catalyst, chlorotris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I), RhCl(PPh₃)₃, CAS No. 14694-95-2, is the iconic homogeneous rhodium(I) precatalyst that revolutionized selective hydrogenation in organic synthesis. Supplied by Aure Chemical as bright red to orange-red crystalline powder with high rhodium content (approximately 11–12% Rh), this air-stable complex features three strongly electron-donating triphenylphosphine ligands that generate a highly active, 14-electron Rh(I) species in solution. Renowned for its exceptional selectivity and mild operating conditions, it excels in hydrogenation of alkenes, alkynes, and functionalized unsaturated bonds with outstanding functional group tolerance, making it indispensable for pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis, natural product derivatization, and fine chemical production. Its robustness, recyclability in certain systems, and historical significance as the first practical homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst continue to make it a gold standard in catalysis. Aure Chemical delivers stringent purity control, low residual PPh₃, and secure rhodium sourcing to ensure batch consistency and optimal catalytic performance in research and industrial applications worldwide.
Basic Information of Wilkinson's Catalyst
Aure Chemical supplies Wilkinson's Catalyst as a premium Rh(I) precatalyst with verified rhodium content and exceptional purity for selective hydrogenation applications.
| CAS No. | 14694-95-2 |
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| EC No. | 238-744-4 |
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| Chemical Formula | RhCl(P(C₆H₅)₃)₃ |
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| Molecular Weight | 925.22 g/mol |
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| Appearance | Bright red to orange-red crystalline powder |
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| Odor | Odorless |
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| Melting point | 157–158 °C (decomposes) |
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| Boiling point | Not applicable (decomposes) |
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| Density | approx. 1.4 g/cm³ |
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| Solubility | Insoluble in water; soluble in benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform, THF |
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| Nature (hazards) | Harmful if swallowed, may cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life, air-sensitive in solution |
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| RIDADR | Not regulated (not subject to transport regulations as hazardous material in many classifications) |
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| Chemical Structure |  |
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Aure Chemical offers customizable options including purity grades (99%+ Rh basis), air-sensitive packaging under inert atmosphere, and tailored batch sizes to preserve activity for your hydrogenation or scale-up needs.
Primary Applications of Wilkinson's Catalyst
Wilkinson's catalyst remains the gold standard for selective homogeneous hydrogenation, delivering unmatched activity and functional group tolerance in synthetic applications.
Selective Hydrogenation of Alkenes & Alkynes
Enables rapid, stereospecific reduction of carbon-carbon multiple bonds in the presence of diverse functional groups, ideal for pharmaceutical intermediates and natural product synthesis.
Hydrogenation of Polar Unsaturated Bonds
Catalyzes efficient reduction of carbonyls, imines, and nitro groups under mild conditions, offering excellent chemoselectivity in complex molecules.
Isomerization & Rearrangement Reactions
Promotes alkene isomerization and allylic rearrangements with high regioselectivity, useful in fragrance and flavor compound production.
Hydrosilylation Catalysis
Supports rhodium-catalyzed addition of Si-H bonds to unsaturated systems, providing efficient routes to organosilicon compounds and silicone modifications.
Pharmaceutical & Fine Chemical Synthesis
Widely applied in GMP processes for reduction steps of active pharmaceutical ingredients, delivering scalability, high selectivity, and easy catalyst removal.
Catalyst Development & Mechanistic Studies
Serves as a standard Rh(I) source for ligand screening, mechanistic investigations, and development of modified rhodium catalytic systems in R&D laboratories.
Why Choose Aure Chemical for Your Wilkinson's Catalyst Supply?
Partner with Aure Chemical for Wilkinson's Catalyst to access benchmark hydrogenation performance, technical expertise, and secure rhodium supply tailored to your synthetic needs.
Superior Purity & Ligand Integrity
Rigorous quality controls ensure high Rh content, minimal free PPh₃ or impurities, and preserved coordination sphere for maximum catalytic activity.
Secure Precious Metal Sourcing
Transparent, responsible rhodium procurement with inventory buffering to provide supply stability and competitive pricing.
Technical Catalysis Support
Dedicated specialists offer reaction optimization, ligand/base screening, scale-up guidance, and troubleshooting to enhance yield and selectivity.
Comprehensive Regulatory Compliance
Full COA, REACH, RoHS, and detailed SDS documentation to facilitate seamless integration into global pharmaceutical and fine chemical operations.
Sustainability & Recycling Programs
Ethical sourcing practices and rhodium recovery/recycling options aligned with ESG goals and sustainable chemistry principles.
Hazards Classification
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity, Oral (Category 4); Aquatic Chronic (Category 4)
Hazard Statements: H302: Harmful if swallowed; H413: May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life
UN Number: Not regulated
Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous for transport
Packing Group: Not applicable
GHS07: Exclamation mark (acute toxicity)
GHS09: Environment (aquatic hazard)
