HYDROFORMYLATION OF OCTENE-1 WITH A POLY(ARYLENE ETHER TRIARYL PHOSPHINE) RHODIUM COMPLEX

Poly(arylene ether triaryl phosphine oxide)s were synthesized by nucle ophilic aromatic substitution reaction of bisphenolates and bis(4,4'-f luorophenyl)phenyl phosphine oxide. Amorphous, transparent, high glass transition temperature materials are produced that are soluble in a n umber of solvents. The macromolecular aryl phosphine oxide structure w as successfully reduced with phenylsilane in chlorobenzene at 110 degr ees C to produce the corresponding poly(arylene ether triphenyl phosph ine). The model precursor polymer was soluble in toluene and was used as a ligand for the hydroformylation of octene-1. The soluble rhodium species was based upon Rh(acac)(CO)(2). When the two component solutio ns were combined they produced a heterogeneous catalyst which was reac ted with octene-1 and purified synthesis gas in a pressure reactor. Va rious ratios of polymeric phosphene ligands were investigated and an 8 : 1 ratio produced 95% conversion in 3 h at 120 degrees C. The polyme ric catalyst demonstrated improved selectivity of normal to branched a ldehydes relative to a control conventional catalyst.