Applications of Homogeneous Water-gas-shift Reaction. I. Further Studies of the Hydroformylation of Propene with CO and H2O

Abstract Polar ether solutions prepared in situ from Co2(CO)8 and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (diphos) are active catalysts for the hydroformylation of propene with CO and H2O. Under the hydroformylation conditions employed, butyl (C4) or isobutyl alcohols, butyric (C4) acids, and dipropyl ketones were found to be formed as by-products. A pronounced formation of C4 alcohols was observed as the reaction temperature was increased; in fact, the catalyst solutions described above actively reduce butyraldehyde to butyl alcohol. The effects of the CO pressure and of the propene concentration on the formation of C4 aldehydes are also examined. It turns out that the water molecule as well as Co2(CO)8 and diphos are essential for the formation of catalytic intermediates, which are themselves responsible for the hydroformylation activity.