Rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1-octene in micro-emulsions and micellar media

The rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1-octene and other higher olefins in an aqueous biphasic system was studied at pressures from 40 to 90 bar and temperatures of up to 393 K. The rhodium-TPPTS [tris (m-sulfonatophenyl) phosphine] catalytic system was used. Non-ionic amphiphiles of the alkyloxyethylene type were applied to promote the contact between the reacting species by enlargement of the interfacial area. The highest reaction rates were obtained at a surfactant concentration of only about 1 wt.%. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.