The kinetics of hydroformylation of 1-decene has been studied in an aqueous biphasic medium using a water-soluble Rh-sulfoxantphos catalyst in the presence of N-methyl pyrrolidone as a cosolvent at 383-403 K. The rate was found to be first order, with concentrations of catalyst and olefin and partial order, with concentrations of hydrogen in the liquid phase. The plot of rate versus excess ligand and CO concentrations passed through maxima, indicating negative order dependence at higher concentrations. These trends have been interpreted based on the established hydroformylation mechanism. High selectivity towards the linear aldehyde was maintained (n: iso ratio > 30). An empirical rate equation has been proposed which was found to be in good agreement with the observed rate data within the experimental error. The activation energy was evaluated to be 74.76 kJ/mol.

Foreign (Early Access Date : 2020)