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Hydroformylation is a chemical process that adds a formyl group and a hydrogen atom across a carbon-carbon double bond of an alkene. This reaction, also known as the oxo process, is a significant industrial method for producing aldehydes. The general reaction involves an alkene, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, typically a transition metal complex.

The most common catalysts employed are based on cobalt or rhodium. Cobalt catalysts were historically used but often required high pressures and temperatures, leading to lower selectivity and byproduct formation. Rhodium-based catalysts, particularly those modified with phosphine ligands, offer much higher activity and selectivity under milder conditions, making them the preferred choice for many industrial applications today. The reaction mechanism generally involves the coordination of the alkene to the metal center, followed by migratory insertion, CO insertion, and subsequent hydrogenation to yield the aldehyde.

Hydroformylation is a crucial step in the production of many important chemicals, including plasticizers, detergents, and solvents. The resulting aldehydes can be further hydrogenated to alcohols or oxidized to carboxylic acids, further expanding their utility. The regioselectivity of the reaction, meaning whether the formyl group attaches to the terminal or internal carbon of the double bond, is a key consideration and can be influenced by the choice of catalyst and reaction conditions. Linear aldehydes are often more desirable for certain applications, and catalyst design plays a vital role in achieving high linearity.