AN UNUSUAL ENHANCEMENT OF CATALYTIC ACTIVITY IN BIPHASIC CATALYSIS - THE RHODIUM-CATALYZED HYDROFORMYLATION OF ACRYLIC ESTERS

The hydroformylation of various acrylic esters in a two-phase system u sing a water soluble rhodium complex of trisulfonated triphenylphosphi ne as catalyst was investigated. The hydroformylation rates of acrylat es relatively soluble in water are surprisingly higher in a biphasic s ystem than those observed in a homogenous single-phase system; rate en hancement by a factor of 2-14 can be reached. The role of water on the enhancement of catalytic activity is discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence B.V.