oa Water Soluble Rhodium Catalysts

The rhodium catalysed hydroformylation reaction is one of the most widely used industrial applications of homogenous catalysis to employ platinum group metals. Potential limitations in the application of this technology to molecules which are heat sensitive or have high boiling points are the stability of the catalyst and the ability to separate the catalyst from the products. A means of circumventing these limitations is described. This involves locating the catalyst in an aqueous liquid phase, and it enables viable reaction rates to be achieved at moderate temperatures and pressures.