Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A compound comprising a class of sulfonated triorganophosphine compounds of formula R¹R²P—R³[—O—(CH₂)_n—(SO₃M)]_m, wherein the R¹ and R² are selected individually from alkyl, aralkyl, and alicyclic groups, wherein R³ represents a divalent or polyvalent alkylene or alicyclic radical that is bonded to the phosphorus atom and to one or more sulfonate substituents via an alkylether link, and further wherein R³ does not contain any aryl moieties; n is an integer reflecting a number of methylene groups in the alkylether link; M represents a monovalent cation; and m is an integer representing a total number of sulfonated alkylether substituents. The compound is useful as a ligand in transition metal-ligand complex catalysts that are capable of catalyzing the hydroformylation of an olefinically-unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to form one or more corresponding aldehyde products. The ligand is incapable of alky-aryl exchange, thereby leading to reduced ligand usage and improving ligand and rhodium recovery and recycling.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim