Heterogeneous anionic transition metal catalysts

Novel heterogeneous catalysts consist essentially of an anion exchange resin to which is bound ionically an anionic metal carbonyl species having the general formula M.sub.n (CO).sub.m (X).sub.p.sup.z- where M is a transition metal such as for example rhodium, cobalt, ruthenium, osmium, iridium, or iron; X is an anion, for example halide, hydride, or alkyl; n ranges from 1 to 12; m ranges from 1 to 34; p ranges from 0 to 2n+1; and z is an integer charge ranging from 1 to 5. The catalyst in which M is rhodium, m=2, p=2, n=1, and z=1 is highly effective for the carbonylation of alcohols to acids and esters. Many of these anionic species have utility in the hydroformylation of olefins.