Rhodium-catalyzed oxidation and hydroformylation oxidation process for producing carboxylic acids.

摘要

A one-step process is disclosed for forming a carboxylic acid and its anhydride directly from the corresponding olefin which comprises reacting the olefin with carbon monoxide, hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a stable rhodium complex catalyst. The rhodium catalyst is stabilized by a pentavalent Group V ligand, such as a phosphine oxide. The reaction is preferably conducted in an inert organic solvent. In an alternate embodiment, a carboxylic acid may be obtained by oxidation of an aldehyde (produced, for example, by hydroformylation of the corresponding olefin) in the presence of a rhodium complex catalyst stabilized by a pentavalent Group V ligand. This reaction is also preferably conducted in an inert organic solvent.