Catalytic activity of the RhH(CO)(TPPTS)3 precursor in the biphasic hydroformylation reaction of C5–C7 alkenes from a real naphtha cut Original Research Article

The complex RhH(CO)(TPPTS)3 [TPPTS = P(m-C6H4SO3Na)3 = tris(sodium-m-trisulphonated-triphenylphosphine] was used as catalyst precursor for the hydroformylation of several C6–C7 alkenes from a real Venezuelan naphtha cut without dilution, under mild reaction conditions: 800 psi of syngas 1:1 (H2/CO), substrate/catalyst molar ratio 400:1, 80 °C and 760 rpm. The olefin contents in the organic phase were about 42%. The catalytic precursor is active in the hydroformylation reaction of the naphtha cut obtaining conversion of 86% of the olefins in aldehydes during 200 h of reaction. The oxigenated products were nearly completely identified and agrupated according to the carbon atom number in order to facilitate our discussion.