HYDROFORMYLATION OF PROPYLENE IN SUPERCRITICAL CARBON-DIOXIDE

Homogeneously catalyzed propylene hydroformylation using Co-2(CO)(8) p recatalyst in supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) was studied in a ba tch reactor. The experiments were carried out at temperatures of 66-10 8 degrees C and at pressures of 1350-2700 psig. The pseudo-first-order rate constant was calculated for each run employing an empirical kine tic expression from the literature. It has been observed that at const ant temperature the observed rate constant increased with pressure. Th e activation energy of the reaction in SCCO2 was determined at 1650 an d 2400 psig, and the value 23.3 +/- 1.4 kcal/mol was comparable to val ues of 27-35 kcal/mol obtained in conventional organic solvents. The p roduct selectivity was determined at different temperatures and pressu res, and it was observed that, at the constant temperature of 88 degre es C, the product selectivity increases from 2.7 to 4.3 as the pressur e doubles from 1350 to 2700 psig.