Polymeric nitrile–palladium chloride complexes and their reaction with olefins

Polymers containing cyano groups connected to the polymeric chain by means of at least one methylene group adsorb palladium dichloride reversibly from its slightly acidic solutions and form surface complexes of the probable structure (? CH₂CN)₂? PdCl₂. These complexes can adsorb gaseous olefins; ethylene is consumed continuously, but adsorption of propylene and 1-butene reaches saturation. Additional ethylene can be added to the propylene or 1-butene adsorbate. Hydrolysis of the surface olefinic complexes yields aldehydes, the ethylene complex giving acetaldehyde and butanal, the mixed ethylene–1-butene complex giving acetaldehyde, butanal and hexanal.