KINETICS OF HYDROFORMYLATION OF 1-OCTENE USING [RH(COD)CL](2)-TPPTS COMPLEX CATALYST IN A 2-PHASE SYSTEM IN THE PRESENCE OF A COSOLVENT

The kinetics of biphasic hydroformylation of 1-octene has been studied in the presence of ethanol cosolvent, using water-soluble Rh/TPPTS as a catalyst. The rate was found to be first order with catalyst and ol efin concentrations and fractional order with hydrogen concentration. The rate versus CO concentration passed through a maximum, indicating a negative order dependence at higher pressures. These trends have bee n interpreted on the basis of a well-known hydroformylation mechanism. A rate equation derived assuming the addition of olefin to the active catalyst as a rate-determining step was found to fit the data satisfa ctorily. The kinetic parameters were evaluated for different temperatu res.