Modelling uranyl chemistry in liquid ammonia from density functional theory.

We developed a computationally efficient protocol based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) and a continuum solvation model (CSM) to predict reaction free energies of complexation reactions of uranyl in liquid ammonia. Several functionals have been tested against CCSD(T) and different CSMs have been assessed relative to Car-Parrinello Molecular Dynamics (CPMD) simulations in explicit solvent.

Molecular motions in a fluxional (η6-indenyl)tricarbonylchromium hemichelate: a density functional theory molecular dynamics study.

A comprehensive Density Functional Theory (DFT) study is reported on molecular motions occurring in a hemichelate complex, formally composed of the (η3-2-methylallyl)Pd(ii) cation bonded to a (η6-indenyl)tricarbonylchromium anion, that has been recognized as being highly fluxional in a previous experimental study (C. Werlé, M. Hamdaoui, C. Bailly, X.-F. Le Goff, L. Brelot and J.-P. Djukic, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2013, 135, 1715-1718). Its dynamics can be decomposed into three molecular motions: (i) the indenyl ligand can switch from a η1 to a η3 binding mode to Pd, (ii) the Cr(CO)3 moiety forms loose interactions with Pd, and can potentially rotate around the aryl-Cr axis, and (iii) the binding mode of the 2-methylallyl ligand to Pd may undergo partial decoordination or rotation around the Pd-C axis. Herein, DFT based molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to provide microscopic insights into the dynamical behaviour of the complex on a 100 ps timescale. QTAIM analyses have been performed over trajectories to investigate the rearrangement of its electronic structure over time. Next, free energy calculations, following the metadynamics approach, have been undertaken to compute thermodynamic and kinetic data relative to the molecular rearrangements occurring in the complex. The results show that the fastest motion is the ring slippage of the indenyl ligand, and that this motion is coupled with the rotation of the 2-methylallyl ligand. Conversely, the Cr(CO)3 rotation is significantly slower, however, a fast rocking motion is observed, consisting of transient approaches of carbonyl ligands to Pd. QTAIM analyses point to loose Pd/carbonyl and Pd/Cr interactions on average, that significantly evolve over time as fluxional motions occur.

trans-cis C-Pd-C rearrangement in hemichelates.

Kinetically unstable heteroleptic trans-bispalladacycles were isolated by using hemichelation. Three structures of trans isomers and five of cis isomers were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. The ready trans-to-cis isomerization of such hemichelates that was monitored by variable temperature NMR experiments is facilitated dynamically because the Pd(ii) center can preserve its square planar coordination in a rather low lying transition state, which was localized by methods of the density functional theory. This process is not achievable in the isomerization of conventional homoleptic trans-bispalladacycles since it involves the preliminary partial chelate decoordination and an unfavorable high-lying planar trigonal coordinated - or Y-shaped-Pd(ii) transition state according to DFT investigations.

Stalking Higher Energy Conformers on the Potential Energy Surface of Charged Species.

Combined theoretical DFT-MD and RRKM methodologies and experimental spectroscopic infrared predissociation (IRPD) strategies to map potential energy surfaces (PES) of complex ionic clusters are presented, providing lowest and high energy conformers, thresholds to isomerization, and cluster formation pathways. We believe this association not only represents a significant advance in the field of mapping minima and transition states on the PES but also directly measures dynamical pathways for the formation of structural conformers and isomers. Pathways are unraveled over picosecond (DFT-MD) and microsecond (RRKM) time scales while changing the amount of internal energy is experimentally achieved by changing the loss channel for the IRPD measurements, thus directly probing different kinetic and isomerization pathways. Demonstration is provided for Li(+)(H2O)3,4 ionic clusters. Nonstatistical formation of these ionic clusters by both direct and cascade processes, involving isomerization processes that can lead to trapping of high energy conformers along the paths due to evaporative cooling, has been unraveled.

Enantioselective Arylation of N-Tosylimines by Phenylboronic Acid Catalysed by a Rhodium/Diene Complex: Reaction Mechanism from Density Functional Theory.

A DFT study of the reaction mechanism of the rhodium-catalysed enantioselective arylation of (E)-N-propylidene-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide by phenylboronic acid [Lin et al J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 12394] is reported. The catalyst ([{Rh(OH)(diene)}2]) includes a chiral diene ligand and the reaction is conducted in 1,4-dioxane in the presence of drying agents (4 Šmolecular sieves). Because phenylboronic acid is in equilibrium with phenylboroxin and water under the reaction conditions, three catalytic cycles are proposed that differ in the way the transmetallation and the release of the product are brought about, depending on the availability of phenylboronic acid, water and boroxin in the reaction medium. Based on computations, a new mechanism for the title reaction is proposed, in which phenylboronic acid plays the double role of "aryl source" and proton donor. This path does not require the presence of adventitious water molecules, in keeping with a reaction conducted in a dry medium. Comparisons with the generally accepted mechanism for arylation of enones proposed by Hayashi and co-workers (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 5052) show that the latter mechanism is less favourable and is not expected to operate in the case of the N-tosylimine substrate considered herein. Finally, the possibility that phenylboroxin is the aryl source has also been investigated, but is not found to be competitive.

First principles static and dynamic calculations for the transition metal hydride series MH4L3 (M = Fe, Ru and Os; L = NH3, PH3 and PF3).

We present a first principles static and dynamical study of the transition metal hydride series MH4L3 (M = Fe, Ru and Os; L = NH3, PH3 and PF3), with a view to arriving at an understanding of how the variation in the electronic properties of the metal sites and ligands can influence the dynamics of the resulting complexes. A broad range of behaviour was observed, encompassing stable classical minima (M = Os, L = NH3 and M = Ru, L = PH3) to stable η(2)-H2 non-classical minima (M = Fe, L = PF3 and M = Ru, L = PH3 or PF3), with the other structures exhibiting dynamical behaviour that spontaneously converted between the classical and non-classical states during the molecular dynamics simulations. The importance of a small L(axial)-M-L(axial) angle in stabilising the non-classical state is highlighted, as is a short η(2)-H2···H(cis) distance in non-classical complexes that spontaneously convert to the classical form. We also investigated the changes in the electronic structure of the complex FeH4(PH3)3 during a η(2)-H2 bond breaking/bond making reaction and observed direct evidence of the 'cis effect', whereby a neighbouring hydride ligand acts to stabilise the intermediate classical state.

Uranyl extraction by N,N-dialkylamide ligands studied using static and dynamic DFT simulations.

We report DFT static and dynamic studies on uranyl complexes [UO(2)(NO(3))x(H(2)O)(y)L(z)](2-x) involved in the uranyl extraction from water to an "oil" phase (hexane) by an amide ligand L (N,N-dimethylacetamide). Static DFT results "in solution" (continuum SMD models for water and hexane) predict that the stepwise formation of [UO(2)(NO(3))(2)L(2)] from the UO(2)(H(2)O)(5)(2+) species is energetically favourable, and allow us to compare cis/trans isomers of penta- and hexa-coordinated complexes and key intermediates in the two solvents. DFT-MD simulations of [UO(2)(NO(3))(2)L(2)], [UO(2)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)L(2)], and [UO(2)(NO(3))(H(2)O)L(2)](+) species in explicit solvent environments (water, hexane, or the water/hexane interface) represented at the MM or full-DFT level reveal a versatile solvent dependent binding mode of nitrates, also evidenced by metadynamics simulations. In water and at the interface, the latter exchange from bi- to monodentate, via in plane rotational motions in some cases. Remarkably, structures of complexes at the interface are more "water-like" than gas phase- or hexane-like. Thus, the order of U-O(NO(3))/U-O(L) bond distances observed in the gas phase (U-O(nit) < U-OL) is inverted at the interface and in water. Overall, the results are consistent with the experimental observation of uranyl extraction from nitric acid solutions by amide analogues (bearing "fatty" substituents), and allow us to propose possible extraction mechanisms, involving complexation of L "right at the interface". They also point to the importance of the solvent environment and the dynamics on the structure and stability of the complexes.

On the importance of decarbonylation as a side-reaction in the ruthenium-catalysed dehydrogenation of alcohols: a combined experimental and density functional study.

We report a density functional study (B97-D2 level) of the mechanism(s) operating in the alcohol decarbonylation that occurs as an important side-reaction during dehydrogenation catalysed by [RuH2(H2)(PPh3)3]. By using MeOH as the substrate, three distinct pathways have been fully characterised involving either neutral tris- or bis-phosphines or anionic bis-phosphine complexes after deprotonation. α-Agostic formaldehyde and formyl complexes are key intermediates, and the computed rate-limiting barriers are similar between the various decarbonylation and dehydrogenation paths. The key steps have also been studied for reactions involving EtOH and iPrOH as substrates, rationalising the known resistance of the latter towards decarbonylation. Kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) were predicted computationally for all pathways and studied experimentally for one specific decarbonylation path designed to start from [RuH(OCH3)(PPh3)3]. From the good agreement between computed and experimental KIEs (observed kH/kD =4), the rate-limiting step for methanol decarbonylation has been ascribed to the formation of the first agostic intermediate from a transient formaldehyde complex.

Structure of a uranyl peroxo complex in aqueous solution from first-principles molecular dynamics simulations.

Static ab initio and density-functional computations, as well as Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations in aqueous solution are reported for [UO2(OH)(κ(2)-O2)(H2O)2](-) and [UO2(OH)2(κ(1)-O2H)(H2O)](-). Whereas the κ(1)-hydroperoxo isomer is found to be more stable than the κ(2)-peroxo form in the gas phase, the order of stability is reversed in explicit bulk solution. Based on free energies from thermodynamic integration (BLYP functional), the peroxo form is favoured by ca. 32 kJ mol(-1) in water. This stabilisation is discussed in terms of the hydration shells about the individual ligands and dipole moments of the complexes in water, and highlights the importance of explicit solute-solvent interactions and bulk solvation for the speciation of uranyl(vi) compounds.

Liquid Methanol from DFT and DFT/MM Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

We present a comparative study of computational protocols for the description of liquid methanol from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, in view of further applications directed at the modeling of chemical reactivity of organic and organometallic molecules in (explicit) methanol solution. We tested density functional theory molecular dynamics (DFT-MD) in its Car-Parrinello Molecular Dynamics (CPMD) and Quickstep/Born-Oppenheimer MD (CP2K) implementations, employing six popular density functionals with and without corrections for dispersion interactions (namely BLYP, BLYP-D2, BLYP-D3, BP86, BP86-D2, and B97-D2). Selected functionals were also tested within the two QM/MM frameworks implemented in CPMD and CP2K, considering one DFT molecule in a MM environment (described by the OPLS model of methanol). The accuracy of each of these methods at describing the bulk liquid phase under ambient conditions was evaluated by analyzing their ability to reproduce (i) the average structure of the liquid, (ii) the mean squared displacement of methanol molecules, (iii) the average molecular dipole moments, and (iv) the gas-to-liquid red-shift observed in their infrared spectra. We show that it is difficult to find a DFT functional that describes these four properties equally well within full DFT-MD simulations, despite a good overall performance of B97-D2. On the other hand, DFT/MM-MD provides a satisfactory description of the solvent-solute polarization effects with all functionals and thus represents a good alternative for the modeling of methanol solutions in the context of chemical reactivity in an explicit environment.

Speciation of La(III) chloride complexes in water and acetonitrile: a density functional study.

Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CMPD) simulations and static computations are reported at the BLYP level of density functional theory (DFT) for mixed [LaCl(x)(H(2)O)(y)(MeCN)(z)](3-x) complexes in aqueous and nonaqueous solution (acetonitrile). Both methodologies predict coordination numbers (i.e., x + y + z) that are successively lower than nine as the Cl content increases from x = 0 to 3. While the static DFT method with implicit solvation through a polarizable continuum model overestimates the binding strength of chloride and erroneously predicts [LaCl(2)(H(2)O)(5)](+) as global free-energy minimum, constrained CPMD simulations with explicit solvent and thermodynamic integration reproduce the weak binding of chloride in water reasonably well. Special attention is called to the dipole moments of coordinated water molecules as function of coligands and solvent, evaluated through maximally localized Wannier function centers along the CPMD trajectories. Cooperative polarization of these water ligands by the metal cation and the surrounding solvent is remarkably sensitive to fluctuations of the La-O distances and, to a lesser extent, on the La-water tilt angles. The mean dipole moment of water ligands is rather insensitive to the other coligands, oscillating around 3.2 D, 3.5 D, and 3.3 D in MeCN, water, and [dmim]Cl solution, respectively, the latter being an archetypical ionic liquid.

Water versus acetonitrile coordination to uranyl. Effect of chloride ligands.

Optimizations at the BLYP and B3LYP levels are reported for the mixed uranyl chloro/water/acetonitrile complexes [UO(2)Cl(n)(H(2)O)(x)(MeCN)(5-n-x)](2-n) (n = 1-3) and [UO(2)Cl(n)(H(2)O)(x)(MeCN)(4-n-x)](2-n) (n = 2-4), in both the gas phase and a polarizable continuum modeling acetonitrile. Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulations have been performed for [UO(2)Cl(2)(H(2)O)(MeCN)(2)] in the gas phase and in a periodic box of liquid acetonitrile. According to population analyses and dipole moments evaluated from maximally localized Wannier function centers, uranium is less Lewis acidic in the neutral UO(2)Cl(2) than in the UO(2)(2+) moiety. In the gas phase the latter binds acetonitrile ligands more strongly than water, whereas in acetonitrile solution, the trend is reversed due to cooperative polarization effects. In the polarizable continuum the chloro complexes have a slight energetic preference for water over acetonitrile ligands, but several mixed complexes are so close in free energy ΔG that they should exist in equilibrium, in accord with previous interpretations of EXAFS data in solution. The binding strengths of the fifth neutral ligands decrease with increasing chloride content, to the extent that the trichlorides should be formulated as four-coordinate [UO(2)Cl(3)L](-) (L = H(2)O, MeCN). Limitations to their accuracy notwithstanding, density functional calculations can offer insights into the speciation of a complex uranyl system in solution, a key feature in the context of nuclear waste partitioning by complexant molecules.

Water versus acetonitrile coordination to uranyl. Density functional study of cooperative polarization effects in solution.

Optimizations at the BLYP and B3LYP levels are reported for mixed uranyl-water/acetonitrile complexes [UO(2)(H(2)O)(5-n)(MeCN)(n)](2+) (n = 0-5), in both the gas phase and a polarizable continuum modeling acetonitrile. Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulations have been performed for these complexes in the gas phase, and for selected species (n = 0, 1, 3, 5) in a periodic box of liquid acetonitrile. According to structural and energetic data, uranyl has a higher affinity for acetonitrile than for water in the gas phase, in keeping with the higher dipole moment and polarizability of acetonitrile. In acetonitrile solution, however, water is the better ligand because of specific solvation effects. Analysis of the dipole moment of the coordinated water molecule in [UO(2)(H(2)O)(MeCN)(4)](2+) reveals that the interaction with the second-shell solvent molecules (through fairly strong and persistent O-H···N hydrogen bonds) causes a significant increase of this dipole moment (by more than 1 D). This cooperative polarization of water reinforces the uranyl-water bond as well as the water solvation via strengthened (UO(2))OH(2)···NCMe hydrogen bonds. Such cooperativity is essentially absent in the acetonitrile ligands that make much weaker (UO(2))NCMe···NCMe hydrogen bonds. Beyond the uranyl case, this study points to the importance of cooperative polarization effects to enhance the M(n+) ion affinity for water in condensed phases involving M(n+)-OH(2)···A fragments, where A is a H-bond proton acceptor and M(n+) is a hard cation.

Hydrogen generation from alcohols catalyzed by ruthenium-triphenylphosphine complexes: multiple reaction pathways.

We report a comprehensive density functional theory (DFT) study of the mechanism of the methanol dehydrogenation reaction catalyzed by [RuH(2)(H(2))(PPh(3))(3)]. Using the B97-D dispersion-corrected functional, four pathways have been fully characterized, which differ in the way the critical beta-hydrogen transfer step is brought about (e.g., by prior dissociation of one PPh(3) ligand). All these pathways are found to be competitive (DeltaG(++) = 27.0-32.1 kcal/mol at 150 degrees C) and strongly interlocked. The reaction can thus follow multiple reaction channels, a feature which is expected to be at the origin of the good kinetics of this system. Our results also point to the active role of PPh(3) ligands, which undergo significant conformational changes as the reaction occurs, and provide insights into the role of the base, which acts as a "co-catalyst" by facilitating proton transfers within active species. Activation barriers decrease on going from methanol to ethanol and 2-propanol substrates, in accord with experiment.

Effect of counterions on the structure and stability of aqueous uranyl(VI) complexes. A first-principles molecular dynamics study.

The inclusion of NH(4)(+) as counterions in Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulations of anionic uranyl(VI) complexes is proposed as a viable approach to modeling "real" aqueous solutions. For [UO(2)F(4)(H(2)O)](2-) in water, it is shown that the inclusion of two NH(4)(+) ions strengthens the bond between uranyl and the water ligand by ca. 2 kcal/mol, improving the accordance with experiment. According to CPMD simulations for [UO(2)X(5)][NH(4)](3) (X = F, OH) in water, the fifth fluoride is bound much stronger than the fifth OH(-). Implications for a recently proposed model for oxygen exchange in uranyl hydroxide are discussed.

Noncovalent interactions in a transition-metal triphenylphosphine complex: a density functional case study.

The binding enthalpy of a triphenylphosphine ligand in Ru(CO)Cl(PPh(3))(3)(CHCHPh) is studied with "standard" (BP86 and B3LYP), dispersion-corrected (B3LYP-D and B97-D), and highly parametrized (M05 and M06 series) density functionals. An appropriate treatment of noncovalent interactions is mandatory because these turn out to account for a large fraction of the metal-ligand interaction energy. Among the tested methods, B97-D and the M06 series of functionals best reproduce the experimental binding enthalpy value of Sponsler et al. (Inorg. Chem. 2007, 46, 561).

Density functional theory study of uranium(VI) aquo chloro complexes in aqueous solution.

Mixed uranyl aquo chloro complexes of the type [UO2(H2O)xCly]2-y (y = 1, 2, 3, 4; x + y = 4, 5) have been optimized at the BLYP, BP86, and B3LYP levels of density functional theory in vacuo and in a polarizable continuum modeling bulk water (PCM) and have been studied at the BLYP level with Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in the gas phase and in explicit aqueous solution. Free binding energies were evaluated from static PCM data and from pointwise thermodynamic integration involving constrained MD simulations in water. The computations reveal significant solvent effects on geometric and energetic parameters. Based on the comparison of PCM-optimized or MD-averaged uranyl-ligand bond distances with EXAFS-derived values, the transition between five- and four-coordination about uranyl is indicated to occur at a Cl content of y = 2 or 3.

The effect of a solvent modifier in the cesium extraction by a calix[4]arene: a molecular dynamics study of the oil phase and the oil-water interface.

We report a molecular dynamics (MD) study of the effect of a fluorinated lipophilic alcohol (referred to as "cs3" by Delmau et al, Solvent Extr. Ion Exch., 2005, 23, 23) used as a phase modifier in the solvent extraction of Cs(+) NO(3)(-) by a calix[4]arene. It is shown that adding cs3 to a chloroform phase improves the solvation of all partners of the extraction system, i.e. the free calixarene ligand L, its LCs(+) complex and its counterion. This effect is most pronounced for the NO(3)(-) anion that is H-bonded to the -OH and terminal -CF(2)H protons of cs3. On the average, the dissociated nitrate interacts with 2 to 4 cs3 molecules, whereas the associated nitrate (LCs(+)NO(3)(-) complex) interacts with one cs3 dimer. The remaining modifier molecules are mainly dissolved in the solution as dimers or trimers and, to a lesser extent, as monomers and tetramers. Insights into the question of ion pairing in the organic phase are obtained via free energy perturbation (FEP) calculations, showing that the LCs(+)NO(3)(-) paired complex is more stable than its analogue with the dissociated anion. Furthermore, the nitrate dissociation energy is ca. twice as small in the cs3-modified solution than in a pure chloroform phase. We also simulated chloroform/cs3/water ternary systems, showing that the modifiers are surface active and stabilize the formation of water nanodroplets, while other modifier molecules drag some water to the organic phase. Calixarene complexes also adsorb at the aqueous interface in the presence of modifiers, confirming the importance of interfacial phenomena in the assisted cation extraction process. The microscopic insights obtained by the simulations are consistent with experimental results and allow us to better understand why the extraction is enhanced after addition of modifiers to the organic phase.

Solvation of sodium chloride in the 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquid: a molecular dynamics study.

We report molecular dynamics studies on the solvation of sodium chloride in the 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquid ([BMI][Tf2N] IL). We first consider the potential of mean force for dissociating a single Na+Cl- ion pair, showing that the latter prefers to be undissociated rather than dissociated (by ca. 9 kcal/mol), with a free energy barrier of ca. 5 kcal/mol (at d approximately 5.2 A) for the association process. The preference for Na+Cl- association is also observed from a 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation of a concentrated solution, where the Na+Cl- ions tend to form oligomers and microcrystals in the IL. Conversely, the simulation of Na13Cl14- and Na14Cl13+ cubic microcrystals (with, respectively, Cl- and Na+ at the vertices) does not lead to dissolution in the IL. Among these, Na14Cl13+ is found to be better solvated than Na13Cl14-, mainly due to the stronger Na+...Tf2N- interactions as compared to the Cl-...BMI+ interactions at the vertices of the cube. We finally consider the solid/liquid interface between the 100 face of NaCl and the IL, revealing that, in spite of its polar nature, the crystal surface is solvated by the less polar IL components (CF3(Tf2N) and butyl(BMI) groups) rather than by the polar ones (O(Tf2N) and imidazolium(BMI) ring). Specific ordering at the interface is described for both Tf2N- anions and BMI+ cations. In the first IL layer, the ions are rather parallel to the surface, whereas in the second "layer" they are more perpendicular. A similar IL structure is found at the surface of the all-neutral Na0Cl0 solid analogue, confirming that the solvation of the crystal is rather "apolar", due to the mismatch between the IL and the crystal ions. Several comparisons with water, methanol, or different BMI+-based ILs as solvents are presented, allowing us to better understand the specificity of the ionic liquid-NaCl interactions.

Rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1-hexene in an ionic liquid: a molecular dynamics study of the hexene/[BMI][PF6] interface.

We report a molecular dynamics study of biphasic systems involved in the rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1-hexene in the 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid ([BMI][PF(6)] IL). We first describe the neat [BMI][PF(6)] interfaces with hexene (the substrate) and heptanal (the linear reaction product) as organic phases. The former interface is molecularly sharp with BMI+ cations preferentially oriented "perpendicular" (i.e., pointing their butyl chains toward the organic phase), whereas hexene molecules tend to be somewhat parallel to the interface. The interface with heptanal is approximately twice as broad, due to BMI+...O(heptanal) attractions, and the solvent molecules are disordered at the interface. No IL ions solubilize in the organic phase(s) whereas ca. 2-3 hexene or heptanal molecules diffused into the IL phase. The presence of the CO and H2 gases does not modify the nature of the hexene/IL interface, as these gases are mainly solubilized in the organic phase, respectively, as diluted species and in the form of a "gaseous" droplet. In the IL phase, one finds a few CO monomers, whereas the less soluble H2 molecules spend only transient excursions. We next simulate the phase separation of "randomly mixed" IL/hexene liquids with the [RhH(CO)L(3)] precatalyst as a solute, comparing the PPh(3) to the TPPTS(3-) ligands (L). The phases separate much more slowly than in the case of classical liquids, and the neutral complex with PPh(3) ligands solubilizes in the hexene phase, displaying loose dynamical contacts with the IL interface. This contrasts with the -9 charged [RhH(CO)(TPPTS)(3)](9-) complex that sits "immobilized" on the IL side of the interface and is mainly solvated by BMI+ cations. Finally, we characterize the solvation of -6 charged [RhH(CO)(TPPTS)(2)](6-), [RhH(CO)(2)(TPPTS)(2)](6-), and [RhH(CO)(TPPTS)(2)(hexene)](6-) complexes involved as reaction intermediates in the hydroformylation reaction and of the free TPPTS(3-) ligand itself in the bulk IL.