Highly selective and recyclable homogeneous hydroformylation of olefins with [Rh(cod)Cl]2/PPh3 regulated by Et3N as additive

Rh-catalyzed hydroformylation of different olefins toward the corresponding aldehydes were performed under syngas atmosphere in the presence of triethylamine (Et3N) as additive. The influence of various reaction pa-rameters including the phosphine ligands, solvents, additives have been investigated. It was found that, by involving Et3N as additive in the [Rh(cod)Cl]2/PPh3 catalytic system, the conversion of substrates (including cyclic, internal and linear olefins, up to 99%) and chemo/regioselectivity of the products were improved (up to 99%), the applicability for the synthesis of important aldehydes was wider in the absence of solvent. More importantly, the catalytic system could be recycled more than 7 times through vacuum distillation operation and provided a new synthesis method for the pesticide dinotefuran (Tetrahydrofuran-3-formaldehyde) and perfume (Lily aldehyde) intermediates.

Automated summary

This study investigates the Rh-catalyzed hydroformylation of various olefins using triethylamine (Et3N) as an additive in the presence of different reaction parameters. The results show that the addition of Et3N in the [Rh(cod)Cl]2/PPh3 catalytic system improves the conversion of substrates (up to 99%) and the chemo/regioselectivity of the products (up to 99%), and widens the applicability for the synthesis of important aldehydes. Moreover, the catalytic system can be recycled more than 7 times and provides a new method for the synthesis of pesticide dinotefuran and perfume Lily aldehyde intermediates.