Homogeneous catalysis reaction of formaldehyde with synthesis gas using rhodium complexes.

In the present work, we report the homogeneous catalytic hydroformylation r eaction of formaldehyde with rhodium complexes like [Rh(CO)(2)L-2](PF6) wit h L = pyridine (1) or 4-picoline (2), using different solvents such as tolu ene, acetone, N,N-dimethylformamide, and 4-picoline. The experiments were c arried out in an autoclave (Parr, 100 mL), 10 atm, CO/H-2 = 1 and ratio cat alyst/substrate 1/100. Preliminary kinetics parameters show a high catalyti c activity of these complexes to the formation of methanol and methyl forma te.