Patent ID: 6107524
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: B01J,C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for the preparation of an aldehyde or an aldehyde and an alcohol by hydroformylation of an olefin containing more than 3 carbon atoms comprising a hydroformylation stage, in which the olefin is hydroformylated under a pressure of from 50 to 1000 bar and at a temperature of from 50.degree. C. to 180.degree. C. using a rhodium catalyst dissolved in a homogeneous reaction medium and a catalyst recovery stage involving extraction of the rhodium catalyst wherein:(a) the hydroformylation is carried out in the presence of a rhodium complex, which has as ligand, a polydentate, organic nitrogen compound that is free from phosphorus and capable of forming complexes with Group VIII metals, which additionally contains at least one tertiary nitrogen radical that is capable of being protonized by a weak acid,(b) the effluent of the hydroformylation stage is subjected to extraction with an aqueous solution of a distillable acid, optionally following separation or partial separation of aldehyde and alcohol,(c) the aqueous acid extract is subjected to thermal treatment in the presence of an organic solvent or solvent mixture which is inert under the hydroformylation conditions, whereby the aqueous acid is distilled off and said complex is deprotonized and transferred to the organic phase, and(d) the organic phase containing the catalyst complex is recycled to the hydroformylation stage.