Fréchet-type metallodendrons with N,P-iminophosphine Rh(I) complexes at the focal point: Synthesis and evaluation in the hydroformylation of 1-octene

[Display omitted] •Fréchet-type dendrons containing a chelating N,P-iminophosphine entity at the focal point have been prepared.•Neutral Rh(I) organometallic dendrons were synthesized by reacting the N,P-iminophosphine dendrons with [Rh(μ-Cl)(CO)2]2.•The complexes were characterised using several spectroscopic and analytical techniques.•The complexes were evaluated as catalyst precursors in the hydroformylation of 1-octene but showed poor conversion. Fréchet-type dendrons containing a chelating N,P-iminophosphine entity at the focal point were synthesized by reacting an N,P-iminophosphine Schiff base with the appropriate bromido-Fréchet dendron (G0, G1 or G2) via a Williamson-ether reaction. Neutral Rh(I) organometallic dendrons were synthesized by reacting the N,P-iminophosphine dendron with [Rh(μ-Cl)(CO)2]2. The ligands and complexes were characterised using NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and the G0 analogue was characterised using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All complexes were evaluated as catalyst precursors for the hydroformylation of 1-octene.