Patent ID: 12006282

Abstract:
The present invention relates to a continuous two-phase hydroformylation process for the production of aldehydes from olefins by means of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and a transition metal catalyst in a reaction zone, the transition metal being in the form of a water-soluble catalyst complex, wherein the process comprising the following steps once or several times:a) hydroformylating by reacting the olefins, carbon monoxide and hydrogen over a water-soluble transition metal catalyst comprising water-soluble organophosphorus ligands in the reaction zone;b) reducing the concentration of the olefins in the reaction zone by reducing the olefin feed to the reaction zone and withdrawing at least a portion of the catalyst solution from the reaction system, wherein the catalyst solution withdrawal and olefin concentration reduction substeps may occur in this or reverse order, simultaneously or sequentially;  c) feeding a solvent, a transition metal source and water-soluble organophosphorus ligands to the reaction system, wherein the feeding of the components may occur simultaneously or in any order sequentially;  d) increasing the concentration of the olefins in the reaction zone by increasing the olefin feed to the reaction zone and hydroformylating by reacting the olefins with carbon monoxide and hydrogen.