Aqueous biphasic catalysis: Ruhrchemie/Rhone-Poulenc oxo process

The use of water-soluble catalysts represents a significant advance in homogeneous: catalysis in general and in the manufacture of n-butyraldehyde in special. Although catalyzed homogeneously, the technique of an immobilized catalyst in mobile phase offers all advantages of a heterogeneous process. Thus, the combination of homogeneous catalysis with heterogeneous catalyst handling yields the most straightforward and soundest oxo process with superior economics. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.