A bulky phosphite modified rhodium catalyst for efficient hydroformylation of disubstituted alkenes and macromonomers in supercritical carbon dioxide

The hydroformylation of disubstituted alkenes and related macromonomers in supercritical CO2 is demonstrated. Higher turnover frequencies were observed for the 1,2-disubstituted alkenes than for the 1,1-disubstituted alkenes. The turnover frequency for poly(styrene) macromonomer hydroformylation compares well with that observed for cyclohexene. The turnover frequency observed for poly(methyl methacrylate) macromonomer hydroformylation is considerably lower than that observed for methyl methacrylate. Unprecedented turnover frequencies are observed in comparison with previous studies where CO2 has been applied as a solvent. This is achieved using rhodium modified with a readily available bulky phosphite ligand without the need of ligand modification to improve solubility in supercritical CO2.