Patent ID: 6946580
Filing Date: 2005-09-20
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A continuous hydroformylation process for the production of an aldehyde by hydroformylation of an olefin which comprises: (a) providing a hydroformylation zone containing a charge of a liquid reaction medium having dissolved therein a rhodium hydroformylation catalyst comprising rhodium in combination with carbon monoxide and a ligand; (b) supplying the olefin to the hydroformylation zone; (c) maintaining temperature and pressure conditions in the hydroformylation zone conducive to hydroformylation of the olefin; (d) recovering from the liquid hydroformylation medium a hydroformylation product comprising aldehyde; (e) recovering from the hydroformylation zone a stream comprising the rhodium catalyst; (f) contacting at least a portion of the stream with a solid acidic absorbent under process conditions which allow at least some of the rhodium to become bound to the absorbent; (g) subjecting the rhodium bound to the absorbent, under process conditions which allow desorption of the metal, to a fluid stripping medium comprising hydrogen and solvent; (h) recovering the rhodium hydride catalyst; and (i) recycling the rhodium hydride catalyst to the hydroformylation zone.