Hidroformülaatsioon

Hidroformülaatsioon, also known as the oxo process, is a chemical reaction that converts alkenes into aldehydes using carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. This process is a cornerstone of industrial organic chemistry, enabling the large-scale production of valuable aldehyde intermediates. The reaction typically involves a homogeneous catalyst, often based on rhodium or cobalt, which facilitates the addition of a formyl group (CHO) and a hydrogen atom across the double bond of the alkene. The regioselectivity of the reaction, meaning the preference for forming either a linear or branched aldehyde, can be influenced by the choice of catalyst and ligands.

The general reaction can be represented as: R-CH=CH2 + CO + H2 -> R-CH2-CH2-CHO (linear) and/or R-CH(CHO)-CH3 (branched). The aldehydes produced are versatile building blocks that can be further transformed into a wide array of products. For instance, they can be hydrogenated to alcohols, which are extensively used as solvents, plasticizers, and in the production of detergents. They can also be oxidized to carboxylic acids or participate in various condensation reactions. The hidroformülaatsioon process is thus crucial for the synthesis of numerous chemicals essential to industries ranging from plastics and pharmaceuticals to fragrances and textiles. The ongoing research in this field focuses on developing more efficient, selective, and environmentally friendly catalytic systems.