Tandem Reductive Hydroformylation of Castor Oil Derived Substrates and Catalyst Recycling by Selective Product Crystallization

An orthogonal tandem catalytic system consisting of rhodium and ruthenium complexes yielded linear C-12 ,-bifunctional compounds from commercial, castor oil derived renewable substrates. With aldehyde yields up to 88% and selectivities to the linear species of up to 95%, this approach is direct and atom economic and provides easy access to potential polymer precursors for polycondensates. Additionally, a straightforward method for selective product crystallization was developed, which enabled recycling of the tandem catalytic system for two runs with excellent activity and simultaneously provided a high-purity product.