Biphasic and SAPC hydroformylation catalysed by rhodium phosphines bound to water-soluble polymers

Coupling of the triphenylphosphine moiety to poly-acrylic acid and poly-eth yleneimine, respectively, afford the macromolecular ligands PAA-PNH and PEI -PNH. Reaction of the ligands with [Rh(CO)(2)(acac)] give water-soluble com plexes that are active as catalyst in the hydroformylation of different ole fins. SAP-catalysts based on PAA-PNH are efficient in gas phase hydroformyl ation of propene and in liquid phase hydroformylation of 1-octene. Hydrofor mylations under biphasic conditions are very slow but addition of sodiumdod ecyl sulphate (SDS) or methanol increases the rate significantly. Catalysts using PEI-PNH as Ligands show lower stability and activity in both SAPC an d biphasic applications. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.