Continuously operated miniplant for the rhodium catalyzed hydroformylation of 1-dodecene in a thermomorphic multicomponent solvent system (TMS)

The hydroformylation of alkenes is one of the most important homogeneously catalyzed processes. However, a process with easy and efficient rhodium catalyst separation and fast reaction rates obtained by homogeneous conditions is not established for long chain alkenes so far. The application of thermomorphic solvent systems (TMS) is a promising concept which provides an innovative solution for both problems. In this work, a fully automated continuous process for the hydroformylation of 1-dodecene with special regard to an efficient catalyst recycling is designed and investigated. By means of the miniplant technique long term investigation of catalyst stability is possible in the early phase of process development. Operating continuously provides a simultaneous consideration of all recycle streams in the process in order to locate accumulation of impurities and byproducts. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.