Abstract: A process for the hydroformylation of olefins having from 20 to 400 carbon atoms by reaction of the olefins with synthesis gas in the presence of a cobalt carbonyl catalyst and recovery of the cobalt catalyst by extraction of the reaction product with an aqueous acidic solution in the presence of oxygen and separation of the organic and aqueous phases, wherein (a) the aqueous phase is separated from the organic phase by means of gravitational forces to the extent that the proportion of aqueous phase dispersed in the organic phase is 2% by weight or less, based on the organic phase, and (b) the organic phase obtained in step (a) is exposed to an electric field to coalesce the remaining dispersed aqueous phase, is described. In this way, the residual cobalt content of the hydroformylation product can be reduced to less than 1 ppm.

Abstract: A process for the hydroformylation of olefins having from 20 to 400 carbon atoms by reaction of the olefins with synthesis gas in the presence of a cobalt carbonyl catalyst and recovery of the cobalt catalyst by extraction of the reaction product with an aqueous acidic solution in the presence of oxygen and separation of the organic and aqueous phases, wherein (a) the aqueous phase is separated from the organic phase by means of gravitational forces to the extent that the proportion of aqueous phase dispersed in the organic phase is 2% by weight or less, based on the organic phase, and (b) the organic phase obtained in step (a) is exposed to an electric field to coalesce the remaining dispersed aqueous phase, is described.

Abstract: In a process for preparing aldehydes and/or alcohols having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms by hydroformylation of olefins by means of synthesis gas in the presence of a catalyst at from 120° C. to 210° C. and pressures of from 100 to 400 bar, a reaction mixture comprising olefins, synthesis gas and catalyst or catalyst precursor is, according to the present invention, introduced at high velocity into a high-pressure reactor via a nozzle having an adjustable flow cross section.

Abstract: In a process for preparing aldehydes and/or alcohols having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms by hydroformylation of olefins by means of synthesis gas in the presence of a catalyst at from 120° C. to 210° C. and pressures of from 100 to 400 bar, a reaction mixture comprising olefins, synthesis gas and catalyst or catalyst precursor is, according to the present invention, introduced at high velocity into a high-pressure reactor (10) via a nozzle (16) having an adjustable flow cross section.

Abstract: Methyl formate is prepared by converting methanol over a copper-containing catalyst at elevated temperatures and in the gas phase by a process in which the catalyst used contains from 30 to 80% by weight of copper, calculated as CuO, as well as from 20 to 70% by weight of a magnesium silicate, calculated as MgO plus SiO.sub.2, which has a molar ratio of MgO/SiO.sub.2 of from 0.3 to 1.5, and may additionally be doped with the metals zinc, chromium and/or barium, each in an amount of not more than 1.5% by weight, calculated as ZnO, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 and BaO.