A continuous process for the preparation of oxygen-containing compounds by oxo - synthesis under use of the rhodium catalyst obtained recirculate

摘要

The continuous prodn. of O-contg. cpds. is carried out by (a) reacting a 2-20C olefinic cpd. with CO and H2 at 50-200 degrees C and 50-1000 atm. in the presence of 1-30 (pref. 3-26) wt.% H2O (based on the olefinic cpd.), initially using a soln. of a Rh cpd. in a non-polar solvent as catalyst; (b) separating unreacted starting material and reaction product from the reaction mixt. by fractional distn.; and (c) recycling the distn. residue, contg. dissolved Rh cpds. and a small amt. of suspended Rh, as catalyst for further reaction, opt. after replacing Rh losses with the corresp. amt. of fresh catalyst soln. By carrying out the reaction in the presence of H2O, the deactivation of the Rh catalyst during distn. is counteracted; although H2O reduces the reaction rate in the 1st run (with fresh catalyst), it greatly increases the rate when the recycled distn. residue is used.