Technology Type

Hydroformylation is the process by which an olefin (alkene) reacts with syngas (CO and H₂) to form an aldehyde. Also commonly known as the “Oxo” process, hydroformylation is the first step in the production of oxo alcohols with the intermediate aldehyde converted to an alcohol by hydrogenation. An alternative intermediate step is the addition of two aldehydes together to obtain a larger aldehyde, a process commonly known as aldolisation with the resultant larger aldehyde converted to an alcohol by hydrogenation. Hydroformylation is a key part of the oxo alcohols process.

Source: Hydroformylation Technology, Johnson Matthey. (Accessed 29^th Nov 2024)