2-PHASE HYDROFORMYLATION OF HIGHER MOLECU LAR OLEFINS BY ETHOXYLATED TRIS(P-HYDROXYPHENYL)-PHOSPHINE AS COMPLEX LIGAND FOR THE RHODIUMCARBONYL CATALYST

Water-soluble rhodiumcarbonyl complexes with new nonionic complex liga nds prepared by ethoxylation of tris(p-hydroxyphenyl)phosphine were su ccessfully used in the two-phase hydroformylation of higher-molecular olefins. Their efficiency depends likely on a temperature controlled c irculation of the catalyst complex between the organic and the water p hase: At the temperature of the hydroformylation (100-130 degrees C) t he ethoxylated tri-(p-hydroxyphenyl)phosphine becomes water-insoluble (appearance of a miscibility gap) and is now available for the catalys is in the organic phase. After cooling to room temperature the catalys t system is dissolved again in the water phase and can be recovered by a simple phase separation.