What is the formula for the Wilkinson catalyst which is used for the hydrogenation of alkenes?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → [(Ph3P)3RhCl]
Wilkinson’s catalyst is a rhodium complex that acts as a homogeneous catalyst for the hydrogenation of alkenes:
\( \displaystyle \ce{RCH=CH2 + H2} \xrightarrow{[(\ce{Ph3P})_3\ce{RhCl}]} \ce{RCH2CH3} \)
Coordination compounds are important catalysts in industry. Other examples are the Ziegler–Natta catalyst (\( \ce{TiCl4} \) with an aluminium alkyl) for the polymerisation of ethene, and \( \ce{PdCl2} \) in the Wacker process for oxidising ethene to ethanal.
So the formula of Wilkinson’s catalyst is [(Ph3P)3RhCl].
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Importance and Applications of Coordination Compounds – …
