PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ALDEHYDES BY HYDROFORMYLATION OF ALKENES

摘要

A rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation process in disclosed in which an overhead vapor stream is recovered from the hydroformylation zone containing reactant alkene, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, alkene hydrogenation product(s), aldehyde product and aldehyde condensation products. This vapor stream is subjected to condensation conditions in one or two stages to condense therefrom condensible components comprising unreacted alkene, aldehyde product, and aldehyde condensation products. Non-condensed components of the vapor stream (e.g. H2 and CO) are recycled to the hydroformylation zone. Unreacted alkene is also recycled in liquid form to the hydroformylation zone.