Patent ID: 6252123
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: B01D,B01J,C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for separating solubilized metal complex catalyst and any free ligand which may be present, from a homogeneous organic synthesis reaction mixture containing hydroformylation products and by-products, which comprises:(a) contacting said homogeneous hydroformylation synthesis reaction mixture with a sub-nanoporous chemically stable membrane which is composed of discrete pores providing pathways through the membrane, substantially all of said pathways having a limiting pore diameter which is less than the diameter of the smallest molecule of metal complex catalyst or free ligand, if any, present in said reaction mixture, said membrane having a narrow limiting pore diameter distribution of less than .+-.30% of the average limiting pore diameter of said pathways;(b) recovering said organic products and by-products as a permeate; and(c) retaining at least ninety-nine percent (99%) of the metal catalyst complex and free ligand, if any, as retentate.