Patent ID: 6180831
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A method of producing .beta.-hydroxyaldehydes, comprising:reacting 1,2-oxiranes with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a cobalt transition metal compound,wherein said cobalt transition metal compound is modified with at least one phosphorus-oxygen ligand or nitrogen-oxygen ligand and is a catalyst;wherein said phosphorus-oxygen ligand is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR5##R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 individually represent alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups of up to 30 carbon atoms, or --CH.sub.2 OH;R' represents hydrogen, or an alkyl or cycloalkyl group having up to 30 carbon atoms;Q represents an alkylidene bridge having 1-20 carbon atoms, a heteroatom, or a nitrogen-containing alkylidene;X represents hydrogen, or an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group; andthe ratio of oxygen to phosphorus in ligands of formula (I) is greater than 0.5;and wherein said nitrogen-oxygen ligand is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR6##R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 individually represent hydrogen, or alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups having up to 30 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with hydroxyl, amino or halogen groups;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may optionally together form a cycloalkyl group having up to 20 carbon atoms;R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 may optionally together form a cycloalkyl group having up to 20 carbon atoms; andX represents hydrogen, or an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group.