Reduction of silica-supported bis-allyl rhodium by H2: characterization by 1H n.m.r. spectroscopy

Surface 1H n.m.r. spectroscopy provided details of the reaction of the SiO2-supported complex SlL–O–Rh(allyl)2 with H2 at 298 K, leading to propane, propene, and highly dispersed supported Rh metel, which was catalytically active for toluene hydrogenation.