Mass transfer effects on hydroformylation catalyzed by a water soluble complex

The rate of hydroformylation of 1-octene catalyzed by a water soluble catal yst is measured in mechanically agitated batch reactor at various stirrer s peeds and organic phase holdups. The data have been analyzed by coupling re action kinetics to a pseudo-homogeneous gas-liquid-liquid model based on Hi gbie's penetration theory which takes into account the presence of the disp ersed organic phase. A rapid liquid-liquid mass transfer of the reactants i s assumed leading to an equilibrium between the continuous and the disperse d phases. The predicted values of the rate are in good agreement with the e xperimental one. The depletion of the organic substrate in the continuous p hase is found negligible. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.