Thermoregulated Phase Transfer Ligands and Catalysis IX. Hydroformylation of higher olefins in organic monophase catalytic system based on the concept of critical solution temperature of the nonionic tensioactive phosphine ligand

Application of the concept of critical solution temperature (CST) of nonionic tensioactive phosphine ligand P[p-C6H4O(CH2CH2O)(n)H](3) (PETPP) in the hydroformylation of higher olefins in organic monophase system is presented for the first time. The PETPP/Rh complex catalyst is insoluble: in organic solvent at room temperature (T < CST), on heating to the temperature T > CST, the catalyst would be soluble in organic solvent. Thus, the catalytic reaction would have taken place homogeneously at the reaction temperature (T > CST). When the reaction is completed, on cooling to the room temperature (T < CST), the catalyst would precipitate out from the organic solvent, and could be easily separated from the product and recycled efficiently. Hydroformylation of higher olefins catalyzed by PETPP/Rh complex in organic monophase system is investigated. Under the conditions of T= 130 degrees C, P = 4.0 MPa, the conversion of 1-dodecene and yield of the aldehyde are 95.8% and 93.7%, respectively. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.