Oxo Process (Hydroformylation Reaction)

O. Roelen, US 2327066 (1943); R. H. Hasek (Eastman), Org. Chem. Bull. 27, No. 1 (1955).

Formation of alcohols from olefins, carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the liquid phase in the presence of catalysts (metallic cobalt compounds such as Raney cobalt or cobalt carbonyls) at 115-190° and high pressures (100-200 atmospheres) in a Fischer-Tropsch-type reaction, q.v. The process is sometimes carried out in two stages, the initial stage giving largely aldehydes which are then reduced to the alcohols.

B. Cornils, “Hydroformylation. Oxo Synthesis, Roelen Reaction” in New Syntheses with Carbon Monoxide, J. Falbe, Ed. (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1980) pp 1-225. Reppe modification (olefin + CO + H2O + Fe(CO)5): R. Massoudi et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 109, 7428 (1987).