Abstract
Bi-metallic Rh[M'(n-C4H9)x]y/SiO2 (M'=Ge, Sn, Pb) catalysts can be obtained by surface organometallic chemistry on metals. With Ge and Sn based complexes, stable organometallic fragment can be obtained for which x ≈ 2 and y ≥ 0.3. These catalysts exhibit increasing activities and selectivities for citral (cis and trans) conversion into geraniol (and nerol) when“y” varies from 0.3 to ca. 1. With the Rh-Pb system, no butyl groups remain on the catalyst surface when “y” increases. These catalysts exhibits a decay of activity when “y” increases.