GB659712A - Synthesis of oxygenated organic compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

In the Oxo synthesis of aldehydes and alcohols, the liquid oxygenated product is treated to decompose the dissolved metal carbonyl, and the deposited metal is recovered by contact in the treating zone with a gas rich in carbon monoxide, and a liquid organic solvent for the metol carbonyl, boiling not substantially above 210 DEG F., under conditions to yield a solution of metal carbonyl which, after adjusting its concentration, may be returned to the synthesis zone. The gas rich in CO is preferably synthesis gas. Liquid butane or pentane or similar saturated hydrocarbons may be used as solvents which are removable from the carbonyl by simple flashing. Part of the liquid olefin feed may, alternatively, be used. Other solvents are ether, methanol, acetone, and halogenated hydrocarbons. Conditions for formation and removal of cobalt carbonyl in the decobalter are suitably 200-350 DEG F., CO partial pressures of 1000-1500 p.s.i., and solvent feed rates of 0.5-5 vols./vol. decobalter space/hr. Two decobalters are preferably used alternately for metal deposition and carbonyl formation. Olefins of 6-8 carbon atoms, and CO, H2 mixture pass through a reactor which is preferably packed with crinkled wire screen or wire screen Berl saddles and fed with catalyst in the form of a solution of cobalt carbonyl in liquid butane. Reaction products are cooled, gas separated, and supplied to a decobalter, which may be at a lower pressure and about 250-400 DEG F., to which hydrogen is fed, cobalt being deposited. The effluent is treated to separate liquid products which may be hydrogenated, and gases which may be recycled to the reactor or, after CO removal, to the decobalter. When required, synthesis gas and liquid butane instead of hydrogen are fed to the decobalter, the effluent being freed of gas, at least part of the butane flashed off, and the carbonyl solution fed to the reactor. If all the butane is flashed off, the carbonyl is taken up in liquid olefin feed.