CHELATE LIGANDS FOR LOW PRESSURE HYDROFORMYLATION CATALYST AND PROCESS EMPLOYING SAME

摘要

Hydroformylation reactions wherein at least one olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms is contacted in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20 DEG C to about 250 DEG C and a pressure of from about 15 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a catalyst containing rhodium, at least one ligand having formula (I), wherein each Ar is independently selected from aromatic ring compounds having 6 up to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl and anthracenyl; the x bonds and the y bonds are attached to adjacent carbon atoms on the ring structures; each R, when present as a substituent, is independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkanyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen (except Cl, Br or I in the ortho position), alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, or formyl; n is a whole number in the range of 0-4 where Ar is phenyl; 0-6 where Ar is naphthyl; and 0-8 where Ar is phenanthryl or anthracenyl; each R1 and R2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or cycloaliphatic; each R3 and R4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R1 substituents; each of the above alkyl groups or moieties is straight or branched chain of 1-20 carbons, preferably 1-8 carbons; each aryl group contains 6-10 ring carbons; each cycloaliphatic group contains from 4-8 ring carbons; and each Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi. Also disclosed are novel ligands wherein one or both of the Ar moieties are phenyl rings.