ARYLOLEFIN HYDROFORMYLATION CATALYZED BY RH(ACAC)(CO)2 MODIFIED WITH PHOSPHORUS-CONTAINING LIGANDS

An investigation has been made of the hydroformylation of styrene, alp ha-methylstyrene, p-methyl-styrene and p-acetoxy-alpha-methylstyrene i n the presence of a catalytic system containing Rh (AcAc)(CO)2 modifie d with triphenylphosphine and phosphite ligands of different structure at t = 80-degrees-C and P = 6 MPa (CO/H-2 = 1). The formation of cata lytic forms of rhodium complexes has been studied by means of in situ IR spectral measurements. If Rh(AcAc)(CO)2 modified with triphenylphos phine is used as the catalyst, oxygen-containing substrates are inacti ve in hydroformylation on account of the coordination of the substrate with the rhodium atom by the oxygen atom. The use of phosphite ligand s made it possible to produce active catalysts for the hydroformylatio n of oxygen-containing substrates. The reaction of p-acetoxy-alpha-met hylstyrene catalysed by an Rh(AcAc)(CO)2 + P(OPh)3 system produced 17% isomer with a quaternary carbon atom.