Synthesis of oxygenated organic compounds from carbon monoxide and hydrogen

摘要

Aldehyde product from the carbonylation stage of an Oxo synthesis is decobalted by treatment with an aqueous solution of a cobalt salt. Cobalt hydrocarbonyl in the aldehyde product is thereby converted into the very water - soluble compound Co(Co(CO)4)2, recovered aqueous solutions of which may be recycled for use as carbonylation catalysts. The recycled catalyst is preferably returned with recycle aldehyde cooling liquid. Low molecular weight fatty acids are preferred cobalt salts and concentrations of cobalt are chosen to combine at least stoichiometrically with all the cobalt in the aldehyde product as carbonyl. Make-up cobalt catalyst is preferably added in the decobalting zone. Conventional conditions and feedstocks are described for the process the initial catalyst being an oil-soluble cobalt soap such as the oleate or naphthenate. In the decobalting zone pressures of about 0-200 p.s.i.g., temperatures of about 50-200 DEG F., preferably 100-185 DEG F., and residence times of about 10-120 minutes are mentioned. After separation from the aqueous cobalt compounds the aldehyde product may be hydrogenated to alcohols. A diagram of suitable apparatus is provided and in examples decobalting is effected with aqueous solutions of cobalt acetate in the presence or absence of acetic acid, the aldehyde product being derived from heptenes. Specification 647,363 is referred to.