Propene hydroformylation by supported aqueous-phase Rh-NORBOS catalysts

The gas-phase hydroformylation reaction of propene using supported aqueous-phase (SAP) Rh-NORBOS modified catalysts in a continuous flow reactor has been examined. SAP catalysts supported on six different carriers were investigated, and for the most promising support the catalytic performance was examined by altering catalyst composition and reaction conditions. The gas-phase hydroformylation reaction of propene using supported aqueous-phase (SAP) Rh-NORBOS modified catalysts in a continuous flow reactor has been examined. SAP catalysts supported on six different support materials were made by wet impregnation using solutions of the precursor complex Rh(acac)(CO) 2 and NORBOS ligand. Catalytic performance of silica gel-based catalysts was examined by altering catalyst composition and reaction conditions. Results were compared to analogous TPPTS catalysts and to catalysts supported on alternative support materials, e.g. silica glass, alumina and carbon. Based on these results the aqueous and the homogeneous nature of the SAP catalysts are discussed.