Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of alkali metal diarylphosphide compounds wherein at least one of the aryl radicals is substituted with an alkyl group. Also disclosed is the preparation of alkyl(diaryl)phosphine compounds which are obtained by the reaction of the alkali metal diarylphosphide compounds with alkyl halide alkylating agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are bis-phosphine compounds having the general formula ##STR1## wherein: each of A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 is an arylene radical wherein (i) each phosphorus atom P is bonded to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 and to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.3 and A.sup.4, (ii) A.sup.1 and A.sup.2, and A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 are bonded to each other by ring carbon atoms and (iii) each of the residues ##STR2## constitutes a 5-membered ring; each of A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 is an arylene radical wherein A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 are bonded to each other and to residues R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 by ring carbon atoms and R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 are connected to each other through a chain of 4 carbon atoms; andR.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical containing up to about 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed are bis-phosphine compounds having the general formula ##STR1## wherein: each of A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 is an arylene radical wherein (i) each phosphorus atom P is bonded to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 and to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.3 and A.sup.4, (ii) A.sup.1 and A.sup.2, and A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 are bonded to each other by ring carbon atoms and (iii) each of the residues ##STR2## constitutes a 5-membered ring; each of A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 is an arylene radical wherein A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 are bonded to each other and to residues R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 by ring carbon atoms and R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 are connected to each other through a chain of 4 carbon atoms; andR.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical containing up to about 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of alkali metal diarylphosphide compounds wherein at least one of the aryl radicals is substituted with an alkyl group. Also disclosed is the preparation of alkyl(diaryl)phosphine compounds which are obtained by the reaction of the alkali metal diarylphosphide compounds with alkyl halide alkylating agents.

Abstract: A novel method quantitatively analyzes certain organophosphorus compounds present in mixtures of the organophosphorus compounds, a Group VIII metal and an inert solvent using gas chromatography techniques. The method involves the conversion of a catalytically-active form of the Group VIII metal to a cyano complex prior to gas chromatography analysis. Compositions are also described which are useful in the gas chromatography analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extraction process for the recovery of high-boiling aldehydes produced by the rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of olefins in the presence of a hydroformylation solvent. The extraction process involves intimately contacting a hydroformylation product solution comprising (i) a high-boiling aldehyde, (ii) hydroformylation catalyst components comprising rhodium and an organophosphine compound, and (iii) a hydroformylation solvent with an extraction solution comprising a primary alkanol and water to form a 2-phase mixture. The phases are separated to obtain a hydroformylation solvent phase containing catalyst components and an alkanol/water phase containing the high-boiling aldehyde.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing biaryl, bidentate ligands comprising:(1) contacting a biaryl compound having the structural formula: ##STR1## with a proton abstracting agent under conditions suitable to form a biaryl dianion, which is then(2) contacted with a Group V compound of the formula: ##STR2## where X' is halogen or a suitable leaving group.

Abstract: The hydroformylation of olefins with rhodium complex catalysts is described. The catalysts employed comprise a rhodium complex with at least one bidentate ligand having a specified structure, ##STR1## Hydroformylation reactions at relatively low temperatures and pressure and yet with high rates of reaction and high selectivity to aldehyde product are obtained by the practice of the present invention.

Abstract: The hydroformylation of olefins with rhodium complex catalysts is described. The catalysts employed comprise a rhodium complex with at least one bidentate ligand having a specified structure, ##STR1## Hydroformylation reactions at relatively low temperatures and pressure and yet with high rates of reaction and high selectivity to aldehyde product are obtained by the practice of the present invention.

Abstract: A novel ligand for use in hydroformylation reactions wherein at least one olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms is contacted in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 50 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a catalyst containing rhodium, the ligand having the formula ##STR1## wherein: n is 1-4;each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or cycloaliphatic;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.

Abstract: The process for preparing a bidentate ligand comprising the steps,(1) contacting with ozone under ozonolysis conditions a suspension in a hydroxylic reaction medium of phenanthrene or a phenanthrene derivative to form an ozonated intermediate,(2) contacting said ozonated intermediate with a reducing agent under conditions appropriate to form the corresponding diol,(3) contacting said diol with a latent displaceable functional group under conditions appropriate to convert the diol to the corresponding difunctional biaryl compound, and(4) contacting said difunctional biaryl compound, with an anion of N, P, As, Sb or Bi under conditions appropriate to form the desired bidentate ligand.

Abstract: The hydroformylation of olefins with rhodium complex catalysts is described. The catalysts employed comprises a rhodium complex with at least one phosphine having a specified structure, e.g., tris(benzyl)phosphine. Preferred phosphines have a pKa in the range of about 3.5 up to 5.3 and a cone angle in the range of about 160.degree. up to 195.degree.. Hydroformylation reactions at relatively low temperatures and pressure and yet with high rates of reaction and high selectivity to aldehyde product are obtained by the practice of the present invention.

Abstract: The hydroformylation of olefins with rhodium complex catalysts is described. The catalysts employed comprise a rhodium complex with at least one phosphine having a specified structure, e.g., tris(benzyl)phosphine. Preferred phosphines have a pKa in the range of about 3.5 up to 5.3 and a cone angle in the range of about 160 up to 195.degree.. Hydroformylation reactions at relatively low temperatures and pressure and yet with high rates of reaction and high selectivity to aldehyde product are obtained by the practice of the present invention.

Abstract: A novel ligand for use in hydroformylation reactions wherein at least one olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms is contacted in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 50 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a catalyst containing rhodium, the ligand having the formula ##STR1## wherein: n is 1-4;each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralky, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or cycloaliphatic;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process including contacting hydroformylation stock in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 15 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen and carbon monoxide wherein the catalyst comprises rhodium in chemical complex with one or more ligands of the formulae ##STR1## wherein: Z, when present, represents the atoms necessary to form with adjacent carbons on the benzene nucleus a fused divalent ring structure having up to about 20 ring carbons;each ring is either unsubstituted or one or more of the hydrogens thereof is replaced with a substituent R selected independently from alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process including contacting hydroformylation stock in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 15 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen and carbon monoxide wherein the catalyst comprises rhodium in chemical complex with one or more ligands of the formulae ##STR1## wherein: Z, when present, represents the atoms necessary to form with adjacent carbons on the benzene nucleus a fused divalent ring structure having up to about 20 ring carbons;each ring is either unsubstituted or one or more of the hydrogens thereof is replaced with a substituent R selected independently from alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process including contacting hydroformylation stock in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 15 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, wherein the catalyst comprises rhodium in chemical complex with one or more ligands of the formulae ##STR1## wherein: the x and y bonds are adjacent on ring structures,each R when present as a substituent is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, cyano, aralkyl, alkaryl, or the like;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or the like;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process comprising contacting hydroformylation stock in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 15 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a catalyst comprising rhodium in chemical complex with one or more ligands of the formula ##STR1## wherein: the x and y bonds are adjacent on ring structures,each R when present as a substituent is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, cyano, aralkyl, alkaryl, or the like;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or the like;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process for preparing dialdehydes from dienes by contacting a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 diene in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 15 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a catalyst containing rhodium, the ligand having the formula ##STR1## wherein: n is 1-4;each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or cycloaliphatic;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.

Abstract: A novel ligand for use in hydroformylation reactions wherein at least one olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms is contacted in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 50 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a catalyst containing rhodium, the ligand having the formula ##STR1## wherein: n is 1-4;each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or cycloaliphatic;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.