HYDROFORMYLATION PROCESS

摘要

A process for the production of an aldehyde by hydroformylation of an olefin comprises: providing a hydroformylation zone containing a charge of a liquid reaction medium having dissolved therein a complex rhodium hydroformylation catalyst comprising rhodium in complex combination with carbon monoxide and with an organic phosphite ligand of the general formula: (RO)3P (I) in which each R represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl radical; supplying said olefin to the hydroformylation zone; maintaining temperature and pressure conditions in the hydroformylation zone conducive to hydroformylation of the olefin; supplying make-up hydrogen and carbon monoxide to the hydroformylation zone; recovering from the liquid hydroformylation medium a hydroformylation product comprising at least one aldehyde; and supplying make-up phosphite ligand to the hydroformylation zone at a rate sufficient to maintain a predetermined level of free phosphite ligand in the hydroformylation medium.