NEW WATER-SOLUBLE CHELATING PHOSPHINES FOR AQUEOUS-PHASE CATALYSIS

The syntheses of two chelating phosphines with pendant groups -p-C6H4- (CH2)(3)-C6H5, -phenylpropyl)phenyl]phosphino}-1,1'-binaphthalene (BIN AP type phosphine) and enyl]phosphinomethyl}-1,1'-biphenyl}-1,1'-biphe nyl (BISBI type phosphine), are described. These phosphines are furthe r sulfonated with concentrated H2SO4 under mild conditions to yield th eir tetrasulfonated water soluble analogs, Two phase hydroformylation of octene-1 with in situ rhodium catalyst of the water soluble phosphi nes is investigated. The results indicate that the rhodium catalyst wi th sulfonated BISBI type phosphine offers both good activity under two phase conditions, due to the surface activity of the phosphine and ex cellent selectivity (97% of l-nonanal, at Rh/P ratio of 1/9).