Abstract: A compound comprising a sulfonated dihydrocarbyl(arylalkyl)phosphine of formula R1R2PR3—(SO3M)n, wherein the R1 and R2 are selected individually from alkyl, aralkyl, and alicyclic groups, and R3 is a divalent or polyvalent arylalkylene radical such that the alkyl moiety is bonded to the phosphorus atom and the aryl moiety is bonded to the alkyl and is also substituted with one or more sulfonate groups; M is a monovalent cation, and n ranges from 1 to 3. The compound is useful as a ligand in transition metal-ligand complex catalysts that are capable of catalyzing the hydroformylation of an olefinically-unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to form one or more corresponding aldehyde products. The ligand is incapable of alkyl-aryl exchange, thereby leading to reduced ligand usage and improved ligand and transition metal, e.g., rhodium, recovery and recycling.

Abstract: A process of controlling heavies in a recycle catalyst stream, particularly, for use in a continuous hydroformylation process of converting an olefin with synthesis gas in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst to form an aldehyde product stream with subsequent separation of the catalyst for recycle to the hydroformylation step. Heavies are controlled, and preferably reduced, by means of feeding a recycle gas stream, taken as a portion of an over-head stream from a condenser, back to a vaporizer wherein the aldehyde product stream is separated.

Abstract: A process of controlling heavies in a recycle catalyst stream, particularly, for use in a continuous hydroformylation process of converting an olefin with synthesis gas in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst to form an aldehyde product stream with subsequent separation of the catalyst for recycle to the hydroformylation step. Heavies are controlled, and preferably reduced, by means of feeding a recycle gas stream, taken as a portion of an over-head stream from a condenser, back to a vaporizer wherein the aldehyde product stream is separated.

Abstract: A compound comprising a sulfonated dihydrocarbyl(arylalkyl)phosphine of formula R1R2PR3—(SO3M)n, wherein the R1 and R2 are selected individually from alkyl, aralkyl, and alicyclic groups, and R3 is a divalent or polyvalent arylalkylene radical such that the alkyl moiety is bonded to the phosphorus atom and the aryl moiety is bonded to the alkyl and is also substituted with one or more sulfonate groups; M is a monovalent cation, and n ranges from 1 to 3. The compound is useful as a ligand in transition metal-ligand complex catalysts that are capable of catalyzing the hydroformylation of an olefinically-unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to form one or more corresponding aldehyde products. The ligand is incapable of alkyl-aryl exchange, thereby leading to reduced ligand usage and improved ligand and transition metal, e.g., rhodium, recovery and recycling.

Abstract: A continuous hydroformylation process for producing a mixture of aldehydes with improved flexibility and stability of a normal/branched (N/I) isomer ratio of the product aldehydes. The process involves reacting one or more olefinically-unsaturated compounds with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of an organopolyphosphite ligand and an organomonophosphite ligand, at least one of such ligands being bonded to a transition metal to form a transition metal-ligand complex hydroformylation catalyst; the process being conducted at a sub-stoichiometric molar ratio of organopolyphosphite ligand to transition metal, at a super-stoichiometric (>2/1) molar ratio of organomonophosphite ligand to transition metal, and at a carbon monoxide partial pressure in the inverse order region of the hydroformylation rate curve; and controlling and varying the isomer ratio by varying the concentration of organopolyphosphite ligand relative to transition metal.

Abstract: A continuous hydroformylation process for producing a mixture of aldehydes with improved flexibility and stability of a normal/branched (N/I) isomer ratio of the product aldehydes. The process involves reacting one or more olefinically-unsaturated compounds with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of an organopolyphosphite ligand and an organomonophosphite ligand, at least one of such ligands being bonded to a transition metal to form a transition metal-ligand complex hydroformylation catalyst; the process being conducted at a sub-stoichiometric molar ratio of organopolyphosphite ligand to transition metal, at a super-stoichiometric (>2/1) molar ratio of organomonophosphite ligand to transition metal, and at a carbon monoxide partial pressure in the inverse order region of the hydroformylation rate curve; and controlling and varying the isomer ratio by varying the concentration of organopolyphosphite ligand relative to transition metal.

Abstract: An improved hydroformylation process involving reacting one or more reactants, such as an olefin, with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst, to produce a reaction product fluid comprising one or more products, preferably aldehydes; wherein said process is conducted in a region of the hydroformylation rate curve that is negative or inverse order in carbon monoxide, which is sufficient to prevent and/or lessen deactivation of the hydroformylation catalyst; and wherein total pressure is controlled at a predetermined target value and/or vent flow rate is controlled at a predetermined target value, by adjusting a flow of a carbon-monoxide containing inlet gas, so as to prevent and/or lessen cycling of process parameters, e.g., reaction rate, total pressure, vent flow rate, and/or temperature.

Abstract: Process for the separation and recovery of aldehyde product from a non-aqueous hydroformylation reaction product composition comprising the aldehyde product, a rhodium-ionically charged phosphorus ligand complex, a free ionically charged phosphorus ligand and an organic solubilizing agent for said complex and said free ligand via phase separation using added water or both added water and an added non-polar hydrocarbon compounds.