Page 41 - Chemical and process design handbook

Speight_Part 1_H 11/7/01 3:03 PM Page 1.27

HYDROFORMYLATION

The hydroformylation (oxo) reactions offer ways of converting a-olefins to
aldehydes and/or alcohols containing an additional carbon atom.
CH CH=CH + CO + H → CH CH CH CHO
3 2 2 3 2 2

CH CH CH CHO + H → CH CH CH CH OH
3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2
In the process (Fig. 1), the olefin in a liquid state is reacted at 27 to 30
o
MPa and 150 to 170 C in the presence of a soluble cobalt catalyst. The
aldehyde and a lesser amount of the alcohol are formed and flashed off
along with steam, and the catalyst is recycled. Conversions of over 97 per-
cent are obtained, and the reaction is strongly exothermic. The carbon
monoxide and hydrogen are usually in the form of synthesis gas.

iso-butyraldehyde
Vent

Propylene

Reactor Distillation Purification
Synthesis gas

Recycle Catalyst
removal n-Butyraldehyde

FIGURE 1 Manufacture of butyraldehyde by the hydroformylation (oxo) reaction.

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