GB827579A - An improved oxonation process - Google Patents

Abstract

Primary alcohols having 2n+2 carbon atoms per molecule are prepared from olefinic compounds having n carbon atoms per molecule, by contacting the olefinic compound with a cobalt carbonylation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and an oil-soluble organic compound of a metal of Groups IA, IIA or IV of the Periodic Table, at elevated temperatures and pressures, withdrawing an aldehyde product and catalytically hydrogenating the aldehyde to obtain a primary alcohol. The oil-soluble organic compounds which are used are the oil-soluble compounds or complexes of lithium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, thorium and lead. Suitable oil-soluble compounds are, for example, the salts of oleic, stearic, naphthenic and linoleic acid; complexes with diketones such as acetylacetone; alcoholates of fatty alcohols such as decyl and tridecyl alcohols and organic esters of the Group IV metal acids, e.g. tetra-alkyl titanate. The carbonylation process is preferably carried out at 200-400 DEG F. and 2500-3500 p.s.i.g. in the presence of a cobalt catalyst. As a modification of the process the treatment with the oil-soluble compound may take place immediately after the carbonylation. In the examples beryllium acetyl acetonate, magnesium oleate, lithium oleate, potassium oleate, sodium stearate, thorium acetylacetonate, tetrabutyl titanate and lead stearate are used for the conversion of C7 olefines to C16 alcohols.