Organic phase stabilization of rhodium nanoparticle catalyst by direct phase transfer from aqueous solution to room temperature ionic liquid based on surfactant counter anion exchange.

We describe the organic phase transfer of surfactant-stabilized rhodium nanoparticles previously synthesized in an aqueous solution of N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium chloride (HEA12Cl); the addition of LiN(Tf)2 to the aqueous suspension of Rh-HEA12Cl transferred the hydrosol nanoparticles to an ionic liquid phase.