Enhancement of Catalytic Activity for Hydroformylation of Methyl Acrylate by Using Biphasic and “Supported Aqueous Phase” Systems

Abstract

High activities and selectivities are obtained for the rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of methyl acrylate in biphasic and “supported aqueous phase” (SAP) systems [Eq. (a)]. The biphasic system Rh/P(C6H4SO3Na)3 1 is twice as active as the classic Rh/PPh3 combination (homogeneous system), and the SAP system Rh/P(C6H4SO3Na)3/SiO2 2 is twenty times more active.