A HYDROFORMYLATION PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF N-VALERALDEHYDE

摘要

n-valeraldehyde is produced by hydroformylation of butene-1 in the presence of one or more of cis- and transbutene-2 and iso-butylene using a rhodium complex catalyst such as HRh(CO)PPh3)3. Reaction conditions include use of at least about 100 moles of free triorganophosphine per gram atom of rhodium, a temperature of about 80 DEG C to about 130 DEG C, a total pressure of not more than about 50kg/cm<2> absolute, a partial pressure of carbon monoxide of not more than about 1.5 kg cm<2> absolute, and a partial pressure of hydrogen of from about 1.5 to about 7.5 kg/cm<2> absolute. An n-iso-ratio of 20:1 and a conversion efficiency of butene-1 to n-valeraldehyde of over 85% are possible under these conditions with essentially no resin formation despite the presence of iso-butylene. The n- iso-valeraldehyde mixture can be aldolized and reduced without intermediate purification to give a commercially acceptable C10-plasticiser alcohol.