NO174622B - Carbonylation Procedure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for carbonylation.

More specifically, the invention relates to a method for carbonylation comprising the reaction of an organic compound that can be carbonylated with carbon monoxide in the presence of a group VII I - transition metal 1 -b i s - f o s f i 1 1 complex catalyst consisting of a group Vlll -transition metal, complexed with carbon monoxide and a bis-phosphite ligand.

It is well known in the art that carbonylation reactions are enhanced by the use of a Group VIII metal catalyst, that is, catalysts comprising a Group VHI transition metal phosphorus ligand complex.

Carbonylation processes directed to the production of oxygenated products in the presence of a catalyst generally involve the reaction of an organic compound with carbon monoxide and preferably another reactant, particularly hydrogen, and are well known in the art, see, for example, J. Falbe, "New Synthesis With Carbon Monoxide" , Springer Verlag, New York, 1980. Such processes may include carbonylation of organic compounds such as olefins, acetylenes, alcohols and activated chlorides with carbon monoxide and either hydrogen, alcohol, amine or water, as well as cyclization reactions of functionalities of unsaturated compounds, e.g. unsaturated amides with CO. One of the main types of known carbonylation reactions is the hydroformylation of an olefinic compound with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to thereby produce oxygenated products such as aldehydes using a Group VIII transition metal phosphorus ligand complex, followed by a subsequent aldolization reaction if desired.

However, research is constantly being carried out towards a more effective phosphorus ligand that provides a more active or more stable or more generally usable type of metal phosphorus ligand complex catalyst, but unlike the present invention, it has mostly been centered on the use of triorganophosphine, triorganophosphite and diorganophosphite ligands as described in US-PS-3,527,809 and TJS-SN 685,025.

It has now been discovered that bis-phosphite ligands can be used as the phosphorus ligand in group VIH transition metal complex-catalyzed carbonylation processes to provide numerous advantages over previously generally proposed group VIII transition metal phosphorus ligand complex catalysts.

For example, the bis-phosphite ligands that can be used here can be useful in providing unique chelated metal complexes with good catalytic activity and stability in carbonylation processes and especially in hydroformylation. Furthermore, the use of the bis-phosphite ligands employed herein provides an excellent means of controlling product selectivity in hydroformylation reactions. For example, the bis-phosphites have been found to be very effective ligands when oxygenated products, such as aldehydes, with a very high normal:iso ratio are desired. Thus, the bis-phosphite ligands that can be used here, in addition to giving a high n:i-aldehyde product ratio from sterically unhindered α-olefins, have also been found to give a higher n:i-aldehyde product ratio from internal olefins, which could not predicted from the state of the art.

These ligands are described in N0-publ. 172,494.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved carbonylation process and in particular a hydroformylation process where the process is carried out in the presence of a group VIII transition metal bisphosphite ligand complex catalyst.

According to this, the present invention relates to a method for carbonylation comprising reaction of an organic compound which can be carbonylated with carbon monoxide in the presence of a group VIII transition metal bis-phosphite complex catalyst consisting of a group VIII transition metal complexed with carbon monoxide and a bis- phosphite ligand, and the method is characterized by the fact that the bis-phosphite ligand is selected from among:

there

Q is -CR1!?2 where each R and R<2> are individually hydrogen, C1-12 alkyl, phenyl, tolyl and anisyl, each Y<1>, Y<2>, Y<3>, Y4, Z2, Z3 , Z4 and Z<5> individually are hydrogen, C1-8 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl, cyano, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, carbonyloxy, amino, acyl, phosphonyl, oxycarbonyl, amido, sulfinyl , sulfonyl, silyl, alkoxy and thionyl residues and where each Z independently represents an equal or different residue selected from among alkyl and aryl with the formula:

wherein each X» X<2> and X<3> is individually a residue selected from hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl, cyano, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, carboxy, amino , acyl, phosphonyl, oxycarbonyl, amido, sulfinyl, silyl, alkoxy and thionyl where n is 0 or 1, and that the reaction is carried out in the presence of a free bis-phosphite ligand selected from the formulas VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII.

As can be seen from the above formula, the bis-phosphite ligands that can be used here represent a completely new class of compounds. For example, and unlike other phosphite compounds, if hydrolyzed, the bis-phosphite ligands used herein will yield a diphenolic compound in which each phenolic oxygen atom is bound to a separate aryl residue as well as a different or similar organic diol and the equivalent of two mono-ol compds.

The present invention includes carrying out any known carbonylation process in which the catalyst is replaced by a group VIII transition metal1-b in s-phosphite complex catalyst as described here. As noted above, such carbonylation reactions may comprise the reaction of organic compounds with carbon monoxide, or carbon monoxide and a third reactant, for example hydrogen, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a Group VIII transition metal bis-phosphite ligand complex catalyst, the ligand having the general formula In above.

More preferably, the present invention includes the use of the aforementioned complex catalysts and free phosphite ligand in the production of aldehydes in which an olefinic compound is reacted with carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The aldehydes produced correspond to the compounds obtained by addition of a carbonyl group on an olefinically unsaturated carbon atom in the starting materials with simultaneous saturation of the olefinic bond. Such preferred processes are known in the industry under various names such as the oxo process or reaction, oxonation, the Rolen reaction and more generally hydroformylation. According to this, the treatment techniques according to the invention can correspond to any of the known treatment techniques that have previously been used in conventional carbonylation and especially hydroformylation reactions.

For example, the preferred hydroformylation process can be carried out on a continuous, semi-continuous or batch basis and involve a liquid recycle and/or gas recycle if desired. Nor is the order or method of addition of the reaction components, catalyst and solvent, critical and can be carried out in any conventional manner.

In general, the preferred hydroformylation reaction is preferably carried out in a liquid reaction medium containing a solvent for the catalyst, preferably one in which both the olefinically unsaturated compound and the catalyst are substantially soluble. In addition, and as is the case with known hydroformylation processes that use a rhodium-phosphorus complex catalyst and a free phosphorus ligand, it is highly desirable that the hydroformylation process according to the invention is carried out in the presence of free bis-phosphite ligand as well as in the presence of the complex catalyst. By "free ligand" is meant a bis-phosphite ligand that is not complexed with the Group VIII transition metal atom in the active complex catalyst.

The more preferred hydroformylation process according to the invention is an improved selective hydroformylation in connection with the production of aldehydes with a very high normal:iso ratio.

The Group VIII transition metals that make up the metal bis-phosphite complexes include those selected from the group rhodium (Rh), cobalt (Co), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt) and osmium (Os) and mixtures thereof, whereby the preferred metals are rhodium, cobalt, iridium and ruthenium and the most preferred are rhodium and cobalt, especially rhodium. It should be noted that the successful implementation of the invention does not depend on and cannot be predicted by the exact structure of the catalytically active metal complex elements, which may be present in mononuclear, dinuclear or higher nuclear form. Thus, the exact active structure is not known. Although not intended herein to be bound by any particular theory or mechanistic set-up, it appears that the active catalytic elements in their simplest form essentially consist of the Group VIII transition metal in complex combination with carbon monoxide and a bis-phosphite -ligand.

The term "complex" as used herein and in the claims means a coordination compound formed by the union of one or more electron-rich molecules or atoms capable of independently coexisting with one or more electron-poor molecules or atoms, each of which is also capable to independent existence. The bis-phosphite ligands that can be used here are those that have two phosphorus donor atoms each with an available or unshared electron pair, each of which is capable of forming a coordinate covalent bond independently or together with (for example via chelation) group Vlll- the transition metal. As can be seen from the above discussion, carbon monoxide (which is also classified as a ligand) is also present and complexed with the group VIII transition metal. The final composition of the active complex catalyst may also contain an additional ligand, for example hydrogen, or an anion that satisfies the coordination sites or the nuclear charge of the group Vlll metal as is the case in the previously mentioned conventional group Vlll transition metal triorganophosphine or phosphite catalysts. Illustrative additional ligands are, for example, halogen (Cl, Br, I), alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, CF 3 , C 2 F 5 , CN, R 2 PO and RP(0)(OH) 0 (wherein each R is alkyl or aryl), acetate, acetylacetonate, SO4, PF4, PF^, NO2, NO3, CH3O, CE2=CHCH2, C6H5CN, CH3CH, NO, NH3, pyridine, (C2H5)3N, mono-olefins, diolefins and triolefins, tetrahydrofuran and the like. It should of course be understood that the active complex species are preferably free of any additional organic ligand or anion which may poison the catalyst and adversely affect the performance of the catalyst. For example, halogen anions and sulfur compounds are known to poison the catalyst in conventional rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation reactions. Accordingly, it is preferred that the active catalysts in the rhodium-catalyzed formylation reactions according to the invention are also free of halogen and sulfur directly bound to rhodium, although this is not absolutely necessary.

The number of available coordination sites on such group VIII transition metals is well known in the art and can lie within the number of 4 to 6. Thus, the active species can comprise a complex catalyst mixture in monomer, dimer or higher nuclearity form, and which is characterized by at least one complexed bis-phosphite- molecule per molecule rhodium. As indicated above, carbon monoxide is also considered to be present and complexed with rhodium in the active catalysts. As is the case with conventional rhodium triorganophosphine or phosphite ligand complex-catalyzed hydroformylation reactions, similarly the active catalyst species generally considered to also contain hydrogen are directly bound to rhodium, and consider the active species of the preferred rhodium catalyst as is used according to the invention during the hydroformylation, can also be complexed with hydrogen in addition to the bis-phosphite and carbon monoxide ligands in light of the hydrogen gas used in the process.

Regardless of whether the active complex catalyst is formed before introduction into the carbonylation reaction zone or whether the active elements are produced in situ during the carbonylation reaction, it is preferred that the carbonylation and especially the hydroformylation reaction is carried out in the presence of free bis-phosphite ligand, although this is not absolutely necessary.

The bis-phosphite ligands which can be used according to the invention as stated above are those which have the general formula

wherein each Ar group means an identical or different, substituted or unsubstituted aryl residue; W means a divalent radical selected from alkylene, arylene and arylene-(CH 2 )y-(Q)n-(CH 2 )y-arylene-, where each arylene radical is the same as Ar as defined above; wherein each y individually has a value of 0 or 1; each Q individually means a divalent bridging group selected from -CR^-R<2->, -0-, -S-, -NR<3->, -SiR4R5- and -CO-, wherein each R<1-> and R<2-> residue individually means a residue selected from hydrogen, C 1-6 alkyl, phenyl, tolyl and anisyl, each R<3>, R<4> and R<5> individually means H or CH 3 ; each n individually means 0 or 1; and each Z individually represents a monovalent hydrocarbon residue selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl and alicyclic residues. Preferably, each y and each n has the value 0. Furthermore, when either n is 1, the corresponding Q is preferably a -CR<1>R<2->bridging group as defined above and more particularly the methylene (-CH2-) or the alkylidene (- CHR<2->), wherein R<2> is an alkyl residue of 1-12 carbon atoms (for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isodecyl, dodecyl, and so on, especially methyl).

Illustrative monovalent hydrocarbon residues represented by the Z group in the above bis-phosphite formula include substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon residues containing from 1-30 carbon atoms selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl and alicyclic residues. While each Z group in a given phosphite may be individually the same or different, they are preferably the same.

More particular illustrative monovalent hydrocarbon radicals represented by Z include primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl radicals such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, neo-pentyl, sec-amyl, t-butyl, iso-octyl , 2-ethylhexyl, iso-nonyl, iso-decyl, octadecyl and the like; aryl radicals such as phenyl, naphthyl, anthracyl and the like; aralkyl radicals such as benzyl, phenylethyl and the like; alkaryl radicals such as tolyl, xylyl, p-alkylphenyls and the like; and alicyclic residues such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclooctyl, cyclohexylethyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl and the like. Preferably, the unsubstituted alkyl residues may contain from 1-18 carbon atoms, more particularly from 1-10 carbon atoms, while the unsaturated aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl and alicyclic residues preferably contain from 6-18 carbon atoms. Among the more preferred Z residues are phenyl and substituted phenyl residues.

Illustrative divalent arylene residues represented by W in the above bis-phosphite formula include substituted and unsubstituted residues selected from alkylene, phenylene, naphthylene, -phenylene-(CH2)y(Q)n-(CH2)y-phenylene- and - the naphthylene-(CH2)y(Q)m(CH2)y-naphthylene moieties, wherein Q, n and y are as indicated above. More specific illustrative divalent residues represented by W include, for example, 1,2-ethylene, 1,3-propylene, 1,6-hexylene, 1,8-octylene, 1,12-dodecylene, 1,4-phenylene, 1, 8-naphthylene, 1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diyl, 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diyl, 2,2'-binaphthyl-1,1*-diyl and the like. The alkylene residues can contain from 1-12 carbon atoms, while the arylene residues can contain from 6-18 carbon atoms. Preferably, W is an arylene radical and most preferably W is a substituted 1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diyl radical.

Illustrative aryl moieties represented by the Ar group and the arylene moieties in the above bis-phosphite formula include both substituted and unsubstituted aryl moieties. Such aryl residues can contain from 6-18 carbon atoms such as phenyl en-(C(,H4 ), naphthylene-(C10B6 ) • antacylene-(C14H8 ) and the like.

Illustrative substituent groups which may be present on the monovalent hydrocarbon residues represented by Z as well as the arylene residues in W and the aryl groups represented by Ar in the above diorganophosphite formula include monovalent hydrocarbon residues of the same type of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, alkaryl -, aralkyl and alicyclic residues as mentioned above for Z, as well as silyl residues such as -Si(R<6>)3 and -Si(0R<6>)3, amino residues such as

—N(R6)2, acyl residues as -C(0)R<6>, carbonyloxy acid residues as —C(0)OR<6>, oxycarbonyl residues as -OC(0)R<6>, amido residues as -C(0) N(<R6>)2 and -N(R<6>)C(0)R<6>, sulfonyl residues such as -S(0)2R<6>, sulfinyl residues such as -S(0)RÉ), ether ( for example alkoxy) residues such as -OR<6>, thionyl ether residues such as -SR<6>, phosphonyl residues such as -P(0)(R<6>)2 and halogen, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl and hydroxy acid residues and the like, in which each R<6> individually represents a similar or different, substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon residue having the same meaning as set forth herein, provided in amino substituents such as -N(R<6>)2, each R<6 > taken together also mean a divalent bridging group that forms a heterocyclic residue with the nitrogen atom and in amino and amido substituents such as -N(R<6>)2, -C(0)N(R<6>)2 and -N( R<6>)C(0)R<6> each R<6> bonded to N can also be hydrogen, while in phosphonyl substituents such as -P(0)(R<6>)2 an R<6- >rest also be hydrogen. Preferably, the monovalent hydrocarbon substituent residues, including those represented by R<6>, are unsubstituted alkyl or aryl residues, although if desired they may in turn be substituted with any substituent which does not adversely affect the process of the invention, such as, for example, the hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon substituent residues already indicated above. Among the more specific unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon substitution residues, including those represented by R<6->, which may be attached to the monovalent hydrocarbon residues represented by Z and/or the arylene residues W and/or the Å groups in the above-mentioned diorganophosphite- formula that may be mentioned are alkyl radicals including primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl radicals such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, neo-pentyl, n-hexyl, amyl, sec-amyl, t -amyl, iso-octyl, decyl and the like; aralkyl radicals such as phenyl, naphthyl and the like; aralkyl radicals such as benzyl, phenylethyl, triphenylmethyl and the like; alkaryl radicals such as tolyl, xylyl and the like; and alicyclic residues such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl, cyclooctyl, cyclohexylethyl and the like. More specifically illustrative non-hydrocarbon substituents which may be present on the monovalent hydrocarbon residues represented by Z and/or the arylene residues W and/or the Ar groups in the above diorganophosphite formula include, for example, halogen, preferably chlorine or fluorine, -NO2 , -CN, -CF3, -OH, -Si(CH3)3, -Si(0CH3)3> -Si(C3H7)3, -C(0)CH3, -C(0)C2H5, -OC(0) <C>6H5, -C(0)0CH3, -N(CH3)2, -NH2, -NHCH3, -NH(C2H5), -C0NE2, -C0N(CH3)2, -S(0)2C2H5, -0CH3 , -OC6H5, -OC6H5, -C(0)C6H5, -0(t-C4H9), -SC2H5, -OCH2CH2OCH3, -(OCH2CH2)20CH3, -(0CH2CH2)30CH3, -SCH3, -S(0)CH3, -SC6H5, -P(0)(C6H5)2, -P(0)(CH3)2, -P(0)(C2H5)2, -P(0)(C3H7)2, -P(0)(C4Hq )2, -P(0)(C6H13)2, -P(0)CH3(C6<H>5), -P(0)(H)(C6H5), -NHC(0)CH3,

and such. In general, the substituent residues present on the monovalent hydrocarbon residues Z and the arylene residues W and the Ar groups in the above-mentioned diorganophosphite formula may also contain from 1-18 carbon atoms and may be attached to the

monovalent hydrocarbon residues represented by Z and/or such arylene residues W and/or such Ar groups in any position and likewise the bridging group -(CItø )y-(Q)n-(CH£)y- which connects the two arylene groups in W or Ar in the above formula. Furthermore, each Ar residue and/or residue represented by Z and/or arylene residue W may contain one or more such substituent groups which may also be the same or different in any given diorganophosphite. Preferred substituent residues include alkyl and alkoxy acid residues containing from 1-18 carbon atoms and more particularly from 1-10 carbon atoms, especially t-butyl and methoxy acid residues.

Among the more preferred bis-phosphite ligands are those in which the two Ar groups connected by the bridging group represented by -(CH2)y-(Q)n-(CH2)y_ 1 the above bis-phosphite formula, are bonded together via their ortho positions relative to the oxygen atoms connecting the Ar groups to the phosphorus atom. It is also preferred that any substituent residue, present on such Ar groups, is attached in the para and/or ortho position in the aryl in relation to the oxygen atom which binds the given substituted aryl group to its phosphorus atom.

Accordingly, a preferred class of bis-phosphite ligands which can be used according to the invention, those with the formulas:

wherein in these formulas Q is -CR^R<2>, where each R<1-> and R<2-> residue individually means a residue selected from hydrogen, alkyl of 1-12 carbon atoms (for example methyl, propyl, isopropyl , butyl, isodecyl, dodecyl, and so on), phenyl, tolyl and anisyl, and n has the value 0 to 1; wherein each Y<1->, Y<2->, Z<2-> and Z<3-> group individually means a residue selected from hydrogen, a C1_i8-alkyl residue, optionally substituted aryl-, alkaryl-, aralkyl- and alicyclic radicals as indicated and exemplified above (for example phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl and the like), cyano, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy as well as carbonyloxy, amino, acyl, phosphonyl, oxycarbonyl, amido, sulfinyl, sulfonyl , silyl, alkoxy and thionyl as defined and exemplified above, and wherein W and Z are as defined above. Preferably both Y<1> and Y<2> are residues with steric hindrance of methyl, or preferably isopropyl or larger. Preferably, Q represents the methylene (-CH2-) bridging group or an alkylidene (-CHR<2->) bridging group, wherein R<2> is a C1_12 alkyl radical as indicated above, especially methyl (for example -CHCH3-). More preferred ligands are those of formula II above, in which both Y<1> and Y<2> are branched alkyl residues with 3-5 carbon atoms, especially t-butyl, and Z<2> and Z<3> are hydrogen, an alkyl residue, especially t-butyl, a hydroxy residue or an alkoxy acid residue, especially methoxy. More particularly, each Z group is an aryl residue of the formula: wherein each X<1->, X<2-> and X<3-> residue individually means a residue selected from hydrogen, tertiary alkyl residues such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl , isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, neo-pentyl, n-hexyl, amyl, sec-amyl, t-amyl, iso-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl, octadecyl and the like, so as well as substituted and unsubstituted aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl and alicyclic residues (for example phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl and the like) and cyano, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, amino, acyl, carbonyloxy, oxycarbonyl, amido, sulfonyl, sulfinyl, silyl, alkoxy, phosphonyl and thiocarbonyl as defined and exemplified above. Still more preferred bis-phosphite ligands include those where W in the above bis-phosphite formulas is a divalent residue selected from substituted or unsubstituted naphthylene, —naphthylene-(Q)n-naphthylene- and -phenylene-(Q)n -phenylene residues where Q and n are the same as both generally and preferably defined above. Among the more preferred bis-phosphite ligands are those in which the divalent naphthylene residue represented by W is selected from 1,2-naphthylene, 2,3-naphthylene and especially 1,8-naphthylene, and those in which the two phenylene residues or two naphthylene residues in W connected by the bridging group represented by -(Q)n-, is connected via ortho positions in relation to the oxygen atoms connecting the two phenylene or the two naphthylene residues to their phosphorus atom. It is also preferred that any substituent residue, if present on such phenylene or naphthylene residues, is bound in the para and/or ortho position in the phenylene or naphthylene residue in relation to the oxygen atom which binds the given substituted phenylene or naphthylene residue to the phosphorus atom.

Accordingly, a further preferred class of bis-phosphite ligands which can be used according to the invention are those with the formulas:

wherein Ar, Q, Z, y and n are the same as generally and preferably defined above, and wherein Ar, 0, Z, y and n are the same as generally and preferably defined above, and

wherein Ar, Q, Z, y and n are the same as generally and preferably defined above, and wherein each Y<3->, Y<4->, Z<4-> and Z<5-> group individually means a residue selected from hydrogen, a C₁₋₋ alkyl residue, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl and alicyclic residues as defined and exemplified above (for example, phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl and the like), cyano, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, as well as carbonyloxy, amino, acyl, phosphonyl, oxycarbonyl, amido, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, silyl, alkoxy and thionyl residues as defined and exemplified above.

Preferably both Y<3> and Y<4> are residues with a steric methyl hindrance or preferably isopropyl or higher. The more preferred ligands are those of formula VI above where both Y<3 >and Y<4> are branched alkyl residues of 3-5 carbon atoms, especially t-butyl, and Z<4> and Z<5> are hydrogen, an alkyl residue and especially t-butyl, a hydroxy residue or an alkoxy acid residue, especially methoxy.

Among the more preferred bis-phosphites represented by formulas IV, V and VI above are those of the formulas:

wherein in formulas VII and VIII Y<1>, Y<2>, Q, Z, Z<2>, Z<3> and n are the same as generally and preferably defined in formulas II, III and IV above, and most preferably, n equals zero; as well as those formulas: wherein in formulas IX and X Y<1>, Y<2>, Q, Z, Z<2>, Z<3> and n are the same as generically and preferably defined in formulas II, III and V above, preferably n equals zero; as well as those with the formulas:

wherein in formulas XI and XII Y<1>, Y<2>, Y<3>, Y<4>, Z, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5 , Q and n are the same as generically and preferably defined above in the formulas II, V and VI.

The most preferred bis-phosphite ligands according to the invention are those of formula XI above.

The bis-phosphite ligands that can be used according to the invention can be easily and simply prepared via a series of conventional phosphorus halide-alcohol condensation reactions. Such types of condensation reactions and the manner in which they are carried out are well known in the art. For example, a simple method for the preparation of such ligands may comprise (a) reacting a corresponding organic diphenolic compound with a phosphorus trichloride to form the corresponding organic phosphorochloridite intermediate, (b) reacting the intermediate with a diol (corresponding to W in the above given formulas) to obtain the corresponding hydroxy-substituted diorganophosphite intermediate, (c) reacting the diorganophosphite intermediate with phosphorus trichloride to form the corresponding phosphorus dichloridite intermediate and (d) reacting the dichloridite with 2 moles of a corresponding mono-ol to to arrive at the desired bis-phosphite ligand. The condensation reactions are preferably carried out in the presence of a solvent, for example toluene, and an HCl acceptor, for example an amine, and can be carried out in a one-flask reaction if desired.

The bis-phosphite ligands are unique compounds which generally have higher molecular weight and lower volatility properties than hitherto known conventional phosphorus-containing ligands and have been found to be particularly useful ligands in homogeneously catalyzed hydroformylation of olefinically unsaturated compounds. This is surprising because due to the high molecular weight, one would expect that such ligands would have low solubility in the reaction media of such hydroformylation reactions. Furthermore, the use of the bis-phosphite ligands can provide an excellent means of controlling product selectivity in hydroformylation reactions. For example, the bis-phosphites have been found to be very effective ligands when oxygenated products such as aldehydes with very high normal:iso product ratios are desired.

Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory or mechanistic reaction pathway, it appears that it is the particular structural features of the bis-phosphite ligands of formulas IV through XII above that make them unique hydroformylation catalyst promoters capable of providing extremely high normal:iso-aldehyde product ratios. These features appear to include the steric size of the two phosphorus groups in the bis-phosphite as well as the steric size of the bridging group W and the connection between the two phosphorus-containing groups. As indicated above, the more preferred bis-phosphite ligands include those in which W is selected from 1,8-naphthylene, 2,3-naphthylene and 1,2-naphthylene and those in which the two phenylene residues or two naphthylene residues in W, linked together by the bridging group represented by -(Q)n~ is bound via the ortho position in relation to the oxygen atom which connects the two phenylene or the two naphthylene residues to the respective phosphorus atoms (or groups). It has surprisingly been discovered that such bis-phosphites containing two phosphorus atoms (or groups) in a ratio have the ability to form chelate complexes with transition metals such as rhodium. Such 9- or 10-membered chelate complexes are a completely unique phenomenon in this technique and are believed to be the primary reason for the very high reaction rates and the very high normal:iso-aldehyde product selectivities achieved using such bis-phosphites by hydroformylation of both cx-olefins and internal olefins. Typical known metal chelates comprise only from and including 4- and even 7- and preferably 5- and 6-membered chelate complexes.

For example, IE spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic data of a rhodium complex have shown that the ligand prefers to doubly coordinate rhodium and forms chelate complexes as seen, for example, from the formula:

It is believed that the high normal:iso product selectivities obtained with such chelatable ligands are a reflection of the cis-chelating ability of the ligand which appears to create a steric environment around rhodium that favors the formation of linear hydroformylation products.

Furthermore, the total size of the ligand itself as well as the size of the other substituent groups in the bis-phosphite molecule are considered important factors with regard to the chelatability of the bis-phosphite ligands. Too much steric hindrance may well affect the ability of the bis-phosphite to chelate, while insufficient steric hindrance may cause the bis-phosphite to chelate too strongly. For example, it is assumed that all the bis-phosphite ligands of formulas IV to XII above are capable of giving chelated rhodium complexes and very high normal: iso-aldehyde product ratios via hydroformylation. However, this does not seem to be possible for example when W is too sterically full (rigid) to form a metal chelate complex as is the case for example when W means a 1,1'-biphenyl-4'4-diyl residue or the like .

It should of course be clear that the possible inability of other bis-phosphites to form chelate metal complexes should in no way be considered to detract from the novelty or utility of such bis-phosphites as ligand promoters, for example in hydroformylation, but that they are not tops in achieving the very high normal:iso-aldehyde product ratios possible with the bis-phosphites which do not have such chelatability properties.

As indicated above, the bis-phosphite ligands defined above are used according to the invention both as phosphorus ligands for group VIII transition metal complex catalysts as well as the free phosphorus ligand which is preferably present in the reaction medium according to the method of the invention. In addition, it should be clear that while the phosphorus ligand of the Group VIII transition metal bis-phosphite complex catalyst and excess free phosphorus ligand are preferably present in a given process according to the invention, are usually of the same type of bis-phosphite ligand, different types of bis-phosphite ligands as well as mixtures of two or more different bis-phosphite ligands are used for each purpose in any given process if desired.

As in the case of previously known group VIII transition metal phosphorus complex catalysts, the group VIII transition metal bis phosphite complex catalysts can be prepared by methods known per se. For example, previously formed group VIII transition metal hydrido-carbonyl (bis-phosphite) catalysts can optionally be prepared and introduced into the reaction medium of a hydroformylation process. More particularly, the Group VIII transition metal bis-phosphite complex catalysts according to the invention can be derived from a metal catalyst precursor which can be introduced into the reaction medium for in situ formation of the active catalyst. For example, rhodium catalyst precursors such as Rh2O3, Rh4(CO)lf [RhCl(CO )2]2, Rh^CO)^, Rh(NO3)3 and the like can be introduced into the reaction medium together with the bis-phosphite ligand for in situ- the formation of the active catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate is used as rhodium precursor and reacted in the presence of a solvent with the bis-phosphite to thereby form a catalytic rhodium-bis-phosphite complex precursor which is introduced into the reactor together with excess free bis-phosphite ligand for in in situ formation of the active catalyst. In any case, it is sufficient for the purposes of the invention to understand that carbon monoxide, hydrogen and bis-phosphite are all ligands capable of complexing with the group VIII transition metal, for example rhodium, and that an active group VIII transition metal1-bis -phosphite catalyst is present in the reaction medium during the carbonylation conditions and more particularly the hydroformylation process.

Accordingly, the Group VIII transition metal bis-phosphite complex catalysts can be defined to consist essentially of a Group VIII transition metal1 complexed with carbon monoxide and a bis-phosphite ligand, the ligand being bound (complexed) to the metal, for example rhodium in a chelated and/or non-chelated manner.

Furthermore, it should be clear that the catalyst terminology "consisting essentially of" is not intended to exclude, rather, to be able to include hydrogen complexed with the metal especially in the case of rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation, in addition to carbon monoxide and the bis-phosphite ligand. Furthermore, and as indicated above, the terminology is also not intended to exclude the possibility of other organic ligands and/or anions that can also complex with the metal. However, such catalyst terminology is preferably intended to exclude other substances in amounts that adversely poison or deactivate the catalyst and therefore rhodium should preferably be free of contaminants such as rhodium-bound halogen, for example chlorine, and the like. As noted, hydrogen and/or carbonyl ligands of an active rhodium-bis-phosphite complex catalyst may be present as a result of being ligands bound to a precursor catalyst and/or as a result of in situ formation, for example due to hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas used in a hydroformylation process.

Likewise, as with known Group VIII transition metal-phosphorus-ligand complex catalysts, it is clear that the amount of complex catalyst present in the reaction medium in a given process according to the invention need only be the minimal amount necessary to provide the concentration of the given Group VIII transition metal required for application and which will provide the basis for at least the catalytic amount of Group VIII transition metal1 required to catalyze the particular carbonylation process. In general, group VIII transition metal concentrations should be within the range from approx. 10 to 1000 ppm, calculated as free metal, be sufficient for most carbonylation processes. In rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation processes according to the invention, it is further generally preferred to use from approx. 10 to 500 ppm rhodium and most preferably from 25 to 350 ppm rhodium, calculated as free metal.

The olefinic starting materials covered by the method according to the invention can be terminally or internally unsaturated and be straight-chain, branched or of a cyclic structure. Such olefins may contain from 2 to 20 carbon atoms and may contain one or more ethylenically unsaturated groups. Furthermore, such olefins may contain groups or substituents which do not significantly affect the hydroformylation process, for example carbonyl, carbonyloxy, oxy, hydroxy, oxycarbonyl, halogen, alkoxy, aryl, haloalkyl and the like. Illustrative olefinically unsaturated compounds include α-olefins, internal olefins, alkyl alkenoates, alkenyl alkanoates, alkenyl alkyl ethers, alkenols and the like, for example ethylene-propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1- dodecene, 1-octadecene, 2-butene, 2-methylpropene-(isobutylene), isoamylene, 2-pentene, 2-hexene, 3-hexene, 2-heptene, cyclohexene, propylene dimers, propylene trimers, propylene tetramers, 2-ethylhexene, styrene, 3-phenyl-l-propene, 1,4-hexadiene, 1,7-octadiene, 3-cyclohexyl-l-butene, allyl alcohol, hex-l-en-4-ol, oct-l-en- 4-ol, vinyl acetate, allyl acetate, 3-butenyl acetate, vinyl propionate, allyl propionate, allyl butyrate, methyl methacrylate, 3-butenyl acetate, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl methyl ether, allyl ethyl ether, n-propyl 7-octenoate, 3-butene nitrile, 5-hexenamide and the like. Of course, it should have been clear that mixtures of different olefinic starting materials can be used, if this is desired, in the hydroformylation process according to the invention. More particularly, the object of the invention is usable for the production of aldehydes by hydroformylation of α-olefins containing from 2-20 carbon atoms and internal olefins containing from 4-20 carbon atoms, as well as starting material mixtures of such α-olefins and internal olefins.

The carbonylation and preferably the hydroformylation process according to the invention is also preferably carried out in the presence of an organic solvent for the group VIII transition metal bisphosphite complex catalyst. Any suitable solvent which does not adversely affect the intended carbonylation process may be used and such solvents include those previously generally employed in known Group VIII transition metal catalyzed processes. As a suitable illustration of solvents for rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation processes, those described in US-PS 3,527,809 and 4,148,830 should be mentioned. Of course, mixtures of one or more different solvents can be used if this is desired. In general, with rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation, it is preferred to use aldehyde compounds corresponding to the aldehyde products that one wants to produce and/or higher-boiling, liquid aldehyde condensation by-products as the primary solvent, for example higher-boiling aldehyde liquid condensation by-products that are produced in situ during the hydroformylation. Thus, while one can, if desired, use any suitable solvent at the start-up of a continuous process (aldehyde compounds corresponding to the desired aldehyde products are preferred), the primary solvent will usually possibly include both aldehyde products and higher-boiling aldehyde liquid condensation by-products due to the nature of such continuous processes. Such aldehyde condensation by-products can also be formed in advance if desired and used accordingly. Furthermore, such higher aldehyde condensation by-products and methods for their preparation are described in greater detail in US-PS 4,148,830 and 4,247,486. sufficient to provide the reaction medium with the particular Group VI11 transition metal concentration desired for a given process. In general, the amount of solvent when this is used can range from around 5$ and up to approx. 95 wt-56 or more, calculated on the total weight of the reaction medium.

Furthermore, it is generally preferred to carry out the carbonylation and in particular the hydroformylation process according to the invention in a continuous manner. Such types of continuous processes are well known in the art and may involve, for example, hydroformylation of the olefinic starting material with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a liquid homogeneous reaction medium comprising a solvent, the Group VIII transition metal bis-phosphite catalyst and free bis-phosphite ligand; and adding supplemental amounts of the starting olefinic material, carbon monoxide and hydrogen to the reaction medium; and maintaining reaction temperature and pressure conditions at a favorable level for the hydroformylation of the starting olefinic material; and recovering the desired aldehyde hydroformylation product by any conventional means. While the continuous process can be carried out in a single pass, i.e. where a vaporous mixture comprising unreacted olefinic starting material and vaporized aldehyde product is removed from the liquid reaction medium from which the aldehyde product is then recovered and supplementary olefinic starting material, carbon monoxide and hydrogen are fed to the liquid reaction mixture for the next pass without recycle of unreacted olefinic feedstock, it is generally desirable to employ a continuous process involving either a liquid and/or gas recycle procedure. Such types of recycling procedures are well known and may involve liquid recycling of Group VIII transition metal bis-phosphite complex catalyst solution separated from the desired aldehyde reaction product as described, for example, in US-PS 4,148,830, or a gas recycling procedure as described, for example, in US- PS 4,247,486, as well as a combination of both a liquid and gas recycling procedure if desired. The most preferred hydroformylation process according to the invention comprises a continuous liquid catalyst recycling process.

The desired aldehyde product can be recovered in any convenient manner as described, for example, in US-PS 4,148,830 and 4,247,486. For example, in a continuous liquid catalyst recycling process, the portion of the liquid reaction solution (containing aldehyde product, catalyst, and so on) , is removed from the reactor, taken to an evaporator/separator where the desired aldehyde product can be separated via distillation, in one or more stages, under ordinary, reduced or elevated pressure, from the liquid reaction solution, condensed and collected in a product receiver, and purified further if this is desired. The remaining liquid reaction solution containing non-volatile catalyst can then be recycled back to the reactor in the same way as other volatile substances, for example unreacted olefin can be recycled, together with any hydrogen and carbon monoxide dissolved in the liquid reaction solution after separating it from the condensed aldehyde product , for example by distillation in any convenient way. In general, it is preferred to separate the desired aldehyde product from the rhodium catalyst-containing product solution under reduced pressure and at low temperatures such as below 150°C and preferably below 130°C.

As noted above, the carbonylation process and especially the hydroformylation process according to the invention is preferably carried out in the presence of free bis-phosphite ligand, i.e. a ligand that is not complexed with the group VIII transition metal in the metal complex catalyst used. Thus, the free bis-phosphite ligand may correspond to any of the above-discussed bis-phosphite ligands. However, while it is preferred to use a free bis-phosphite ligand that is the same as the bis-phosphite ligand in the Group VIII transition metal all-bis-phosphite complex catalyst, such ligands need not be the same in any given process, if desired they can be different. While the carbonylation and preferably the hydroformylation process according to the invention can be carried out with any excess amount of free bis-phosphite ligand that is desired, for example at least 1 mol of free bis-phosphite ligand per moles of group VIII transition metal1 present in the reaction medium, the use of free bis-phosphite ligand is not absolutely necessary. According to this, general amounts of bis-phosphite ligand of from approx. 4 to approx. 100, or more if desired, and preferably from approx. 3 to approx. 50 moles per moles of group VIII transition metal1 (for example, rhodium) present in the reaction medium, be suitable for most purposes, especially for rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation; the amounts of bis-phosphite ligand used are the sum of both the amount of bis-phosphite ligand bound (complexed) to the Group VIII transition metal present and the amount of free (non-complexed) bis-phosphite ligand present. If desired, of course, supplemental bis-phosphite ligand may be added to the reaction medium in the hydroformylation process at any time and in any suitable manner to maintain a predetermined level of free ligand in the reaction medium.

The possibility of carrying out the process according to the invention in the presence of free bis-phosphite ligand is a significantly advantageous aspect of the invention, avoiding the critical features of using very low but precise concentrations of ligand which may be necessary for certain complex catalysts whose activity may is retarded when even any amount of free ligand is also present during the process, especially when large-scale commercial operation is used, which then gives the technical staff greater leeway in the process.

The reaction conditions for carrying out a carbonylation and more particularly a hydroformylation according to the invention can be those that have previously been conventionally used and can include a reaction temperature from approx. 45°C to approx. 200°C and pressure within the range 0.07 to 705 kg/cm<2> abs. Print. While the preferred carbonylation process is the hydroformylation of olefinically unsaturated compounds, and more particularly olefinic hydrocarbons, with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to produce aldehydes, it should be understood that the Group VIII transition metal bis-phosphite complexes of the invention can be used as catalysts in which preferably another type of known carbonylation process to achieve good results. While further such other known carbonylation processes can be carried out under their usual conditions, it is generally believed that they can be carried out at lower temperatures than usual due to the Group VIII transition metal bis-phosphite complex catalysts of the invention.

As noted above, the rather preferred process of the invention involves the preparation of aldehydes via the hydroformylation of an olefinically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a Group VIII transition metal bis-phosphite complex catalyst and free bis-phosphite ligand, particularly a rhodium- bis-phosphite complex catalyst.

The bis-phosphite ligands which can be used here provide an excellent means of controlling product selectivity and more particularly the possibility of achieving very high linear (normal) aldehyde product selectivity in hydroformylation reactions. Thus, preferred bis-phosphite ligands that can be used herein can provide aldehyde hydroformylation products from sterically unhindered α-olefins with a high normal:branched isomer product ratio that is comparable, if not superior, in terms of normal aldehyde product content to what has hitherto been possible with with the help of most known phosphorus ligands. More particularly, preferred bis-phosphite ligands that can be used herein have been found to provide aldehyde hydroformylation products from internal olefins as higher linear (normal): branched (isomer) product ratios than that suggested in the prior art. Furthermore, the ability to hydroformylate both α- and internal olefins allows the operator to hydroformylate both types of olefins (eg, mixtures of butene-1 and butene-2) simultaneously with comparable ease from the same starting material mixture. This is very advantageous to this technique because such mixed α-olefin and inner olefin starting materials are readily available and are the most economical olefin feedstock. Furthermore, the variation possibilities of the bis-phosphite ligands which can be used here enable continuous hydroformylation of both α-olefins and internal olefins where different reactors can be used in series. This capability not only enables a spectrum of process conditions for further hydroformylation in the second reactor of any unreacted olefin brought to it from the first reactor, but also allows, if desired, to optimize the reaction conditions for the hydroformylation of, for example, a- the olefin in the first reactor, while thus optimizing the reaction conditions for the hydroformylation of, for example, the inner olefin in the second reactor.

Of course, it should be understood that while the optimization of the reaction conditions necessary to obtain the optimal results and the best desirable efficiency is dependent on experience in the application of the present hydroformylation according to the invention, only some experimentation should be necessary to determine the conditions which are optimal for a given situation and this should be well within the scope of the person skilled in the art and can easily be achieved by following the more preferred aspects of the invention as explained here, and/or by simple routine experimentation.

For example, the total gas pressure of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and olefinic unsaturated starting compound in the hydroformylation process according to the invention can be from 0.07 to 705 kg/cm<2> abs. Print. More particularly, however, when hydroformylating olefins to produce aldehydes, it is preferred that the process is carried out at a total gas pressure of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and olefinically unsaturated starting compound of less than approx. 105 kg/cm<2> abs. and preferably less than approx. 35 kg/cm<2> abs. The minimum total pressure of the reactants is not particularly critical and is mainly limited only by the amount of reactants necessary to achieve a desired reaction rate. More particularly, the carbon monoxide partial pressure in the hydroformylation process according to the invention is from 0.07 to 8.4 kg/cm<2> abs. and most preferably from 0.2 to 6.3 kg/cm<2> abs., while the hydrogen partial pressure is preferably 1.25 to 11.2 kg/cm<2> abs. and preferably from 2.5 to 7 kg/cm<2> abs. Print. In general, the H2:C0 molar ratio can range from approx. 1:10 to 100:1 or more, and the most preferred ratio is about 1:1 to 10:1.

As mentioned above, the hydroformylation process according to the invention can also be carried out at a reaction temperature of approx. 45°C to approx. 200°C. The preferred reaction temperature used in a given process will of course depend on the particular olefinic starting material and metal catalyst used, as well as the desired efficiency. In general, hydroformylations at reaction temperatures of approx. 50°C to 120°C preferred for all types of olefinic starting materials. More particularly, α-olefins can be efficiently hydroformylated at a temperature from above approx. 60°C to approx. 120°C, while even less reactive olefins than conventional α-olefins such as isobutylene and internal olefins, as well as mixtures of α-olefins and internal olefins, can preferably and efficiently be hydroformylated at a temperature from approx. 70° C to 120° C. Thus, with the rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation processes according to the invention, no significant advantage is seen in working at temperatures somewhat above 120° C and this is considered to be less desirable.

As indicated herein, the carbonylation and more preferably the hydroformylation process of the invention can be carried out either in the liquid or gas state and involves a continuous liquid or gas recycling system or a combination thereof. Preferably, the rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation according to the invention involves a continuous homogeneous catalysis process where the hydroformylation is carried out in the presence of both free bis-phosphite ligand and any suitable solvent as will be described below.

Thus, in general, the use of the bis-phosphite ligands is unique in that they provide very good catalytically active and stable rhodium catalysts for the production of aldehydes which most preferably have a very high ratio between the straight chain or normal product and branched or isoproducts via hydroformylation of olefins, especially internal olefins. Furthermore, the low volatility of such high molecular weight bis-phosphite ligands makes them particularly suitable for use in the hydroformylation of higher olefins, for example olefins with four or more carbon atoms. For example, volatility is related to molecular weight and is inversely proportional to molecular weight within a homologous series. Accordingly, it is generally desirable to use a phosphorus ligand whose molecular weight exceeds that of the higher boiling aldehyde byproduct trimer corresponding to the aldehyde treated in the hydroformylation process in order to thereby avoid or at least minimize possible ligand loss during removal via distillation of the aldehyde product and/or higher-boiling aldehyde condensation by-products when this is desired, from the reaction system. Because thus, for example, the molecular weight for valeraldehyde trimer is approx. 250 (C15<H>30<O>3) and all bis-phosphites discussed herein exceed 250 in molecular weight, there should be no undue detrimental loss of bis-phosphite ligand during the removal of such higher product aldehydes and/or such higher-boiling aldehyde by-products from the reaction system.

Furthermore, in a continuous liquid rhodium-catalyzed recycling process, it is possible that an unwanted hydroxyalkyl-phosphinic acid by-product may occur due to reaction between the bis-phosphite ligand and the aldehyde product during such a continuous process and thereby cause a reduced ligand concentration. Such an acid is often insoluble in the generally liquid hydroformylation reaction medium and can lead to the precipitation of an unwanted gelatinous by-product and can also promote autocatalytic formation of itself. If, however, such a problem occurs when using the bis-phosphite ligands used here, it is considered that this can be effectively and preferably controlled by passing the liquid reaction effluent stream from a continuous liquid recycling process either before or preferably after separation of the aldehyde product therefrom, through a any suitable weakly basic anion exchange resin such as a layer of amine "Amberlyst" resin such as "Amberlyst" A-21, and the like, to remove any or all unwanted hydroxyalkylphosphonic acid by-product that may be present in the stream containing liquid catalyst before its reincorporation in the hydro-formylation reactor. Of course, if desired, more than one such basic anion exchange resin layer, for example a series of such layers, may be used, and any such layer may be easily removed and/or replaced as required or desired. Alternatively, if desired, a portion or all of the hydroxyalkylphosphonic acid-contaminated catalyst recycle stream may be periodically removed from the continuous recycle operation and the contaminated liquid thus removed treated in the same manner as indicated above, to remove or reduce the amount of hydroxyalkylphosphonic acid contained therein before new use of the catalyst-containing liquid in the hydroformylation process. In the same way, any other suitable method for removing such hydroxyalkyl-phosphonic acid by-product from the hydroformylation process according to the invention can be used if desired, for example extracting the acid with a weak base such as sodium bicarbonate.

A catalyst precursor preparation consisting essentially of a solubilized Group V transition metal bis-phosphite complex precursor catalyst, an organic solvent and free bis-phosphite ligand can be prepared by forming a solution of a Group VIII transition metal starting material as a metal oxide, - hydride, carbonyl or salt, for example a nitrate, which may optionally be in complex combination with a phosphite ligand, an organic solvent and a free bis-phosphite ligand as defined above. Any suitable group VHI transition metal starting material can be used, for example Rh2O3, Rh^CO)]^ Rh6(CO)16, Rh(NO3)3, bis-phosphite-rhodium carbonyl hydrides, iridium carbonyl, bis-phosphite-iridium carbonyl hydrides, osmium halide, chlorosmic acid, osmium carbonyls, palladium hydride, palladium halides, platinic acid, platinum halides, ruthenium carbonyls, as well as other salts of other group VIII transition metals and carboxylates of C2~Cl6~ acids such as cobalt chloride, cobalt nitrate, cobalt acetate, cobalt octoate, iron ( III) acetate, iron (III) nitrate, nickel fluoride, nickel sulfate, palladium acetate, osmium octoate, iridium sulfate, ruthenium nitrate and the like. Of course, any suitable solvent can be used, for example those that can be used in the desired carbonylation process to be carried out. The desired carbonylation process can of course also dictate the different amounts of metal, solvents and ligands present in the precursor solution. Carbonyl and bis-phosphite ligands, if not already complexed with the original group VHI transition metal, can be complexed to the metal either before or in situ during the carbonylation. By way of illustration and because the preferred Group VIII transition metal1 is rhodium and because the preferred carbonylation process is hydroformylation, the preferred catalyst precursor preparation consists essentially of a solubilized rhodium carbonyl-bis-phosphite complex precursor catalyst, an organic solvent and free bis-phosphite ligand, prepared by forming a solution of rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, an organic solvent and a bis-phosphite ligand as defined herein. The bis-phosphite readily replaces one of the carbonyl ligands of the rhodium acetylacetonate complex precursor at room temperature as confirmed by evolution of carbon monoxide gas. This replacement reaction can be facilitated by heating the solution if desired. Any suitable organic solvent in which both the rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate complex precursor and the rhodium bis-phosphite complex precursor are soluble can be used. Accordingly, the amount of rhodium complex catalyst precursor, organic solvent and bis-phosphite, as well as their preferred embodiments present in such catalyst precursor preparations, can obviously correspond to the amounts which can be used in the hydroformylation process according to the invention and which have already been discussed. Experience has shown that the acetylacetonate ligand in the precursor catalyst is replaced after the hydroformylation process has begun with another ligand, for example hydrogen, carbon monoxide or bis-phosphite ligand, thereby forming active rhodium complex catalyst as explained above. Acetylacetone which is liberated from the precursor catalyst under the hydroformylation conditions is removed from the reaction medium with the product aldehyde and is thus not in any way harmful to the hydroformylation process. The use of such preferred rhodium complex catalytic precursor preparations thus provides a simple economical and efficient method of treating the rhodium precursor metal and the hydroformylation initiation.

Finally, the aldehyde products from the hydroformylation process according to the invention have a wide range of applications which are well known and documented in the prior art, for example they are particularly useful as starting materials for the production of alcohols and acids.

The following examples are illustrative of the invention and should not be considered limiting. It should be clear that all parts, percentages and shares referred to here and which are mentioned in the requirements are on a weight basis unless otherwise stated. In the formulas in the description, a tertiary butyl residue is represented by C(CH3)3 or t-Bu; while -C5E5 means a phenyl residue, OMe means a methoxy acid residue and a nonyl or (- C^ E^ q) residue represents branched mixed nonyl residues. Sometimes -H is used to represent the absence of any substituent other than hydrogen at this particular position in the formula.

EXAMPLE 1

A series of different rhodium complex catalyst precursor solutions consisting essentially of the solubilized reaction product of rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate and various bis-phosphite ligands were prepared and used to hydroformylate butene-1 to Cs aldehydes in the following manner.

Rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate was mixed at ambient temperatures with various bis-phosphite ligands of the formula:

where each Z represents a residue as shown in Table 1 below, and a solvent to obtain the various rhodium catalytic precursor solutions containing the amounts of rhodium and ligands shown in Table 1.

Each rhodium catalytic precursor solution thus prepared was used for hydroformylation of butene-1 in a magnetically stirred 100 ml stainless steel autoclave connected to a gas manifold for introducing gases to the desired partial pressures. The autoclave was also equipped with a pressure calibrator to determine the reaction pressure to ±0.001 kg/cm<2 >abs. and a platinum resistance thermometer to determine reaction solution temperatures to ± 0.1'C. The reactor was heated externally with two 300 watt heating bands. The reactor solution temperature was controlled by means of a platinum resistance sensor connected to an external proportional temperature control for regulating the temperature of the external band heaters.

In each hydroformylation reaction, approx. 15 ml or approx. 14 g of rhodium catalytic precursor solution, prepared as described, charged to the autoclave under nitrogen and heated to reaction temperature (as given in Table 1). The reactor was then vented down to 0.35 kg/cm<2> and 2.5 ml or 1.5 g of butene-1 was added to the reactor. Then carbon monoxide and hydrogen (with partial pressures as given in Table 1) were fed to the reactor via the gas manifold and trans-butene-1 hydroformylated.

The hydroformylation reaction rate in gmol per liters per hour of produced C^-aldehydes was determined from sequential 0. 35 kg/cm<2> abs. pressure drop in the reactor with a range above the normal operating pressure in the reactor, while the molar ratio linear (n-valeraldehyde): branched (2-methyl-butyraldehyde) product was measured by gas chromatography and the results are given in table 1, as the results are determined according to a 5 to 20% conversion of the butene-l starting material.

EXAMPLE 2

The procedure and conditions of Example 1 were used to prepare a series of rhodium catalytic precursor solutions using rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, a solvent and various bis-phosphite ligands of the formula: wherein each Z represents a residue as shown in Table 2 and hydroformylation of butene-1 was repeated except that propylene was hydroformylated instead of butene-1 and a premixed gas of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and propylene was used after adjusting the reaction pressure to 1.4 kg/cm<2 >abs. with nitrogen and varied the rhodium complex catalyst precursor solutions and hydroformylation reaction conditions as shown in Table 2. The hydroformylation reaction rate expressed in gmol/l/hr of butyraldehyde produced as well as the molar ratio of linear (n-butyraldehyde) to branched (isobutyraldehyde) product was determined and the results are given in Table 2.

EXAMPLE 3

The same procedure and conditions as used in Example 1 were used in the preparation of a rhodium catalytic precursor solution using rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, valeraldehyde trimer as solvent and a bis-phosphite ligand of the formula: and the hydroformylation of butene-1 was repeated by using different olefins as the starting hydroformylation material and by varying the rhodium complex catalyst precursor solutions and hydroformylation reaction conditions as shown in Table 3. The reaction rate expressed in gmol/l/hr of aldehyde produced as well as the molar ratio of linear to branched aldehyde was determined as in Example 1 and the results are given in Table 3.

EXAMPLE 4

The same procedure and reaction conditions used in Example 1 were used in the preparation of a rhodium catalytic precursor solution using rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, valeraldehyde trimer as solvent and a bis-phosphite ligand of the formula: and the hydroformylation of butene-1 was repeated using the rhodium complex catalyst precursor solution and the hydroformylation reaction conditions shown in Table 4. The hydroformylation reaction rates gmol/l/hr produced Cs-aldehydes as well as the molar ratio of linear n-valeraldehyde to branched 2-methylbutyraldehyde were determined as in Example 1 and the results are given in Table 4.

Precursor solution and reaction conditions: 250 ppm rhodium, 2 wt* bis-phosphite ligand (7.7 molar equivalents of bis-phosphate ligand per molar equivalent of rhodium), 70°C, 7 kg/cm<2> abs. C0:H2 (1:2 molar ratio); 2.5 kg/cm<2> abs. butene-1.

EXAMPLE 5

The same procedure and conditions were used as in Example 2 in the preparation of a rhodium catalytic precursor solution using rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, valeraldehyde trimer as solvent and a bis-phosphite ligand of the formula: and hydroformylation of propylene was repeated using rhodium -the complex catalyst precursor solution and the hydroformylation reaction conditions as shown in Table 5. The hydroformylation reaction rate in gmol/l/hour butyraldehyde produced as well as the molar ratio between linear and branched n-butyraldehyde was determined and the results are given in Table 5.

Precursor solution and reaction conditions: 250 ppm rhodium, 4 molar equivalents of bis-phosphite ligand per molar equivalent rhodium), 70°C, 6.3 kg/cnu abs. CO:H2rpropylene (1:1:1 molar ratio).

EXAMPLE 6

The same procedure and conditions as used in Example 2 were used in the preparation of a rhodium catalytic precursor solution using rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, valeraldehyde trimer as solvent and a bis-phosphite ligand of the formula: and the hydroformylation of propylene was repeated using the rhodium complex catalyst precursor solutions and hydroformylation reaction conditions as shown in Table 6. The hydroformylation reaction rate in gmol/l/hr produced butyraldehyde as well as the molar ratio of linear (n-butyraldehyde) to branched (isobutyraldehyde) product was determined and the results given in Table 6.

EXAMPLE 7

The same procedure and conditions were used as in Example 1 for the preparation of a rhodium catalytic precursor solution using rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, a solvent and a bis-phosphite ligand, and the hydroformylation of butene-1 was repeated using different bis-phosphite ligands with the formula:

where W is a divalent bridging group as shown in Table 7, rhodium complex catalyst precursor solutions and hydroformylation reaction conditions are as shown in Table 7. The hydroformylation reaction rate in gmol/l/hr prepared C5~ aldehydes (pentanals) as well as the molar ratio linear (n-valeraldehyde): branched (2-methylbutyraldehyde) product was determined in the same way as in Example 1 and the results are given in Table 7.

Precursor solution and reaction conditions: 250 ppm rhodium; 2 wt-* bis-phosphite ligand, 70<*>C; 7 kg/cm<1> abs. C0:H2 (1:2 molar ratio); 2.5 ml butene-1 (2.5 kg/cm<*> abs. butene-1). In experiment 1 the solvent was valeraldehyde trimer, while in experiments 2 and 3 it was "Texanol" (2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate).

EXAMPLE 8

The procedure and conditions from Example 2 were used to prepare a rhodium catalytic precursor solution using rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, a solvent and a bis-phosphite ligand and hydroformylation of propylene was repeated using different bis-phosphite ligands of the formula:

wherein W is a divalent bridging group as shown in Table 8, rhodium complex catalyst precursor solutions and hydroformylation reaction conditions as shown in Table 8. Hydroformylation reaction rate expressed in gmol/l/hr Precursor solution and reaction conditions: 250 ppm rhodium; 4 molar equivalents of bis-phosphite ligand per molar equivalent of rhodium; 70°C; 6.8 kg/cm<2> abs. CO:H2:propylene (1:1:1 molar ratio). In experiment no. 1 the solvent was valeraldehyde trimer, while in experiments no. 2 and 3 it was "Texanol".

EXAMPLE 9

Continuous hydroformylation of butene-1 using bis-phosphite ligand was carried out in the following manner.

The hydroformylation was carried out in a glass reactor by operating in a continuous single-pass butene-1-hydroformylation method. The reactor consisted of a 100 ml pressure bottle immersed in an oil bath with a glass front for viewing. About. 20 ml of freshly prepared rhodium catalyst precursor solution was charged to the reactor with a syringe after flushing the system with nitrogen. The precursor solution contained approx. 250 ppm rhodium introduced as rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, approx.

2 weight-* of a bis-phosphite ligand with the formula:

(approx. 8.0 equivalents of ligand per mole of rhodium) and "Texanol" as solvent. After shutting down the reactor, the system was again flushed with nitrogen and the oil bath was heated to give the desired hydroformylation reaction temperature. The hydroformylation reaction was carried out at a total gas pressure of approx. 11.24 kg/cm2 , the partial pressures for hydrogen, carbon monoxide and butene-1 are given in table 9, the rest is nitrogen and aldehyde product. The flow of the feed gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen, butene-1 and nitrogen) was controlled individually with mass flow meters and the feed gases dispersed in the precursor solution via fritted scavengers. The reaction temperatures are given in table 9. The unreacted part of the feed gases was stripped out, the product C^-aldehydes and the outlet gas analyzed during approx. 5 days of continuous operation. The approximate daily average reaction rate, expressed in gmol/l/h produced Cs-aldehydes as well as the product ratio between linear (n-valeraldehyde) and branched (2-methylbutyraldehyde) product compounds are given in Table 9.

EXAMPLE 10

Butene-1 was hydroformylated in the same manner as in Example 9 using a bis-phosphite ligand of the formula:

The hydroformylation was carried out in a glass reactor operating in the continuous single-butene-1-pass hydroformylation mode. The reaction system consisted of a 100 ml pressure bottle immersed in an oil bath with a glass front for viewing. About. 20 ml of freshly prepared rhodium catalyst precursor solution was charged to the reactor with a syringe after the system was flushed with nitrogen. The precursor solution contained approx. 250 ppm rhodium, introduced as rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, approx. 2.0 weight-* of the bis-phosphite ligand (approx. 8.3 mole equivalents of ligand per mole of rhodium) and "Texanol" as solvent. After shutting down the reactor, the system was again flushed with nitrogen and the oil bath was heated to give the desired hydroformylation reaction temperature. The hydroformylation reaction was carried out at a total gas pressure of approx. 11.25 kg/cm2 , the partial pressures for hydrogen, carbon monoxide and butene-1 are given in table 10, the rest is nitrogen and aldehyde product. The flows of feed gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen and butene-1) were controlled individually with mass flow meters and the feed gases dispersed into the precursor solution via fritted scavengers. The reaction temperatures are given in table 10. The unreacted part of the feed gas was stripped out, the product Cs-aldehydes and the outlet gases analyzed over approx. 5 days of continuous operation. The approximate daily average reaction rates in gmol/l/hour product Cs-aldehydes as well as the molar ratio between linear n-valeraldehyde and branched 2-methylbutyraldehyde are given in Table 10.

EXAMPLE 11

Butene-2 with a 1:1 molar ratio between cis- and trans-butene-2 was hydroformylated in the same way as in Example 9 using a bis-phosphite ligand of the formula:

The hydroformylation was carried out in a glass reactor which operated in continuous single-pass butene-2-hydroformylation mode. The reactor consisted of a 100 ml pressure bottle immersed in an oil bath with a glass front for viewing. About.

20 ml of a freshly prepared rhodium catalytic precursor solution was charged to the reactor with a syringe after flushing the system with nitrogen. The precursor solution contained approx. 125 ppm rhodium introduced as rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, approx. 7.0 weight-* bis-phosphite ligand (approx. 50 mole equivalents of ligand per mole of rhodium) and valeraldehyde trimer as solvent. After closing the reactor, the system was again flushed with nitrogen and the oil bath was heated to give the desired hydroformylation temperature. The hydroformylation reaction was carried out at a total gas pressure of approx. 11.25 kg/cm2 , the partial pressures for hydrogen, carbon monoxide and butene-2 are given in table 11, the rest are nitrogen and aldehyde product. The flows of free feed gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen and butene-2) were controlled individually with mass flow meters and the feed gases dispersed into the precursor solution via fritted scavengers. The unreacted part of the feed gas was stripped off, product Cs-aldehydes and the outlet gases were analyzed during approx. 15 days of continuous operation. It

approximate daily average reaction rates expressed in gmol/l/hr product C5 aldehydes as well as the ratio of product linear n-valeraldehyde to branched 2-methylbutyraldehyde are given in Table 11 below.

EXAMPLE 12

Butene-2 with an approx. 1:1 molar ratio of cis- and trans-butene-2 was hydroformylated in the same manner as in Example 9 using a bis-phosphite ligand of the formula:

The hydroformylation was carried out in a glass reactor which operated in continuous single-pass butene-2-hydroformylation mode. The reactor consisted of a 100 ml pressure bottle immersed in an oil bath with a glass front for viewing. About. 20 ml of freshly prepared rhodium catalytic precursor solution was charged to the reactor with a syringe after flushing the system with nitrogen. The precursor solution contained approx. 223 ppm rhodium introduced as rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate, approx. I, 8 wt* bis-phosphite ligand (about 8.3 mole equivalents of ligand per mole of rhodium) and "Texanol" as solvent. After shutting down the reactor, the system was flushed again with nitrogen and the oil bath was heated to provide the desired hydroformylation reaction temperature. The hydroformylation reaction was carried out at a total gas pressure of approx. II, 25 kg/cm2 , the partial pressures for hydrogen, carbon monoxide and butene-2 are given in table 12, while the rest are nitrogen and aldehyde product. The flows of the feed gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen and butene-2) were controlled individually with mass flow meters and the feed gases dispersed in the precursor solution via fritted scavengers. The reaction temperature is given in table 12. Unreacted portion of the feed gases was stripped out, product C5~aldehydes and outlet gas analyzed during 5.5 days of continuous operation. The approximate daily mean reaction rates expressed in gmol/l/hr product Cs-aldehydes as well as the product ratio between linear n-valeraldehyde and branched 2-methylbutyraldehyde are given in Table 12.

was produced in the following manner.

About. 179.2 g (0.5 mol) of 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3•-di-t-butyl-5,5'-dimethoxy-1,1'-biphenyldiol was added to approx. 1600 ml of toluene. Sufficient toluene was azeotropically removed to remove any remaining traces of moisture. The diol-toluene solution was then allowed to cool to approx. 80°C and approx. 168.7 g (1.67 mol) of triethylamine was added.

About. 68.7 g (0.5 mol) of the phosphorus trichloride was added to approx. 200 ml of toluene and the diol-toluene-triethylamine solution were then added to the PCl 3 -toluene solution dropwise at -10°C over 1 hour and 40 minutes. The reaction solution was kept at this temperature for approx. 30 minutes and then allowed to warm to ambient temperature over a two-hour period. The reaction medium was then filtered to remove solid triethylamine hydrochloride precipitate which was washed with two 200 ml portions of toluene. The combined filtrate and washings were then concentrated and 717.5 g of solution of phosphorochloridite intermediate was obtained:

in toluene.

About. 170.3 g of additional 2,2•-dihydroxy-3,3'-di-t-butyl-5,5'-dimethoxy-1,1'-biphenyldiol was added to approx. 800 ml of toluene, followed by approx. 48.1 g of triethylamine. The above-mentioned 717.5 g of phosphorochloridite-toluene solution was added dropwise during approx. 45 minutes at ambient temperature and the temperature increased to approx. 80°C for 1 hour and 45 minutes, followed by a further increase in temperature to approx. 95°C for 2.0 hours and allowed to cool to ambient temperature. About. 600 ml of distilled water was added to dissolve the solid triethylamine hydrochloride precipitate and the solution allowed to settle and the two layers were separated. The aqueous layers were extracted with two 250 ml portions of toluene. The combined organic layer and extracts were dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate for one hour, filtered and concentrated to a residue under vacuum. The residual product was recrystallized from acetonitrile and approx. 242.5 g or approx. 65.4* of the diorganophosphite intermediate,

About. 242.4 g of the above recrystallized diorganophosphite intermediate was added to 1 liter of toluene followed by approx. 31.4 g of triethylamine. About. 42.7 g of phosphorus trichloride was added dropwise over 5 minutes at ambient temperature and the temperature increased for reflux for approx. 3 hours and 45 minutes. The reaction solution was cooled to approx. 68°C, after which 15.7 g of triethylamine followed by approx. 21.3 g of phosphorus trichloride was added. The reaction medium was then heated to reflux for approx. 16 hours. The suspension was cooled to approx. 20°C and filtered to remove solid triethylamine hydrochloride precipitate which was washed with two 200 ml portions of toluene. The combined filtrate and washings were concentrated under vacuum, whereby 516.2 g of solution of the phosphorus dichloridite intermediate was obtained:

in toluene.

About. 79.9 g of para-chlorophenol was added to approx. 500 ml of toluene, followed by approx. 62.9 g of triethylamine. The above-mentioned 516.2 g of phosphorus dichloridite-toluene solution was added dropwise over 1 hour and 55 minutes at ambient temperature. The reaction solution was allowed to stir at ambient temperature for an additional 2 hours and 15 minutes. About. 600 ml of distilled water was added to dissolve the solid triethylamine hydrochloride precipitate and the solution allowed to settle, and the two layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with two 250 ml portions of toluene. The combined organic layer and extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to a residue under vacuum. The residual product was recrystallized from acetonitrile and approx. 200 g or 62.5* of the desired bis-phosphite ligand product with the formula given above was recovered and is here called ligand 1.

Similarly, the following bis-phosphite ligands (ligands 2 to 8) were prepared using the appropriate diphenolic and monool compounds corresponding to and providing their structures.

Ligand 8

The structure of the above bis-phosphite ligands was confirmed using phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (P<31->NMR) and fast atomic bombardment mass spectroscopy (FABMS). The bis-phosphite ligands can be identified by their characteristic P<31->NMR spectrum [that is, pairs of doublets showing a phosphorus-phosphorus coupling constant (Jpl-p2 (Hz)] and by FABMS to show a mass corresponding the mass of the molecular ion of the particular bis-phosphite as appears, for example, from the following analytical data.

EXAMPLE 14

A rhodium complex of the bis-phosphite ligand (said ligand is ligand 3 in Example 13 above) was prepared in the following manner.

To a solution of 0.5 g or 0.5 mmol of the ligand in 10 ml of dichloromethane was added 0.1 g or 0.25 mmol of chlorodicarbonylrhodium dimer [RhCl(CO)2]2• The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 4 .5 hours to complete the reaction as indicated by the cessation of the evolution of carbon monoxide. The reaction solution was then concentrated to a residue under vacuum and recrystallized from hexane using 0.14 g of a crystalline solid that was unambiguously characterized as the cis-chelate chlorocarbonyl-rhodium complex of the ligand of the formula:

by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The complex product, phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum in solution also corresponds to that of a cis-chelate rhodium complex.

This rhodium chloride-bis-phosphite complex (called complex A in Table 14) was used for the hydroformylation of propylene in the same manner as indicated in Example 2 above and was found to show very good hydroformylation activity despite the presence of rhodium-bound chloride, under the reaction conditions as indicated in Table 14. The rhodium chloride-bis-phosphite complex catalyst was also compared with a rhodium-bis-phosphite ligand complex catalyst containing the same ligand but free of chlorine, the precursor being rhodium dicarbonyl acetylacetonate instead of [RhCl(CO )g] 2• This chloride-free rhodium-ligand complex is called complex B in Table 14. The hydroformylation reaction rate expressed in gmol/l/h of butyraldehyde that was prepared as well as the molar ratio of linear n-butyraldehyde to branched isobutyraldehyde in the experiments performed are also shown in Table 14 .

While the rhodium catalyst in complex A showed good activity, its rhodium-bound chloride appears to have a negative effect on the achievement of high product ratios between linear and branched aldehyde and should thus preferably be avoided when such high product ratios are desired.

Claims (7)

1. Process for carbonylation comprising reacting an organic compound that can be carbonylated with carbon monoxide in the presence of a group VIII transition metal bis-phosphite complex catalyst consisting of a group VIII transition metal complexed with carbon monoxide and a bis phosphite ligand, characterized in that bis The -phosphite ligand is selected from: where Q is -CR^R<2> where each R and R<2> are individually hydrogen, C±_ ]2 alkyl, phenyl, tolyl and anisyl, each Y<1>, Y<2>, Y<3> , Y<4>, Z2, Z3, Z<4> and Z<5> individually are hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl, cyano, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, carbonyloxy, amino, acyl, phosphonyl, oxycarbonyl, amido, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, silyl, alkoxy and thionyl residues and where each Z independently represents an equal or different residue selected from among alkyl and aryl with the formula: wherein each X' X<2> and X<3> is individually a residue selected from hydrogen, C^_^g alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl, cyano, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, carboxy, amino, acyl, phosphonyl, oxycarbonyl, amido, sulfinyl, silyl, alkoxy and thionyl where n is 0 or 1, and that the reaction is carried out in the presence of a free bis-phosphite ligand selected from the formulas VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII. 2. Hydroformylation process according to claim 1, characterized in that the olefinically unsaturated compound is selected from among ^ 2-20 "-olefins, C4-20 internal olefins or mixtures of such α- and internal olefins. 3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that it is carried out at a reaction temperature within the range 50 to 120°C, a total gas pressure for hydrogen, carbon monoxide and olefinically unsaturated organic compound from 0.07 to 105 kg/cm<2> abs., a hydrogen partial pressure from 1.25 to 11.2 kg/cm<2> abs., a carbon monoxide partial pressure from 0.07 to 8.4 kg/cm<2> abs. and where the reaction medium contains from 4 to 100 mol of this bis-phosphite ligand per moles of rhodium in the medium. 4. Process according to claim 3, characterized in that Y<1> and Y<2> in the formulas VII, IX and XI and Y<3> and Y<4> in the formulas XI and XII are C3_5 branched alkyl residues, where Z<2>, Z<3> in formulas VII, IX and XI and Z<4> and Z<5> in formulas XI and XII each is individually selected from hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxy and alkoxy and where each Z in the formulas from and including VII to XII means an alkyl residue with the formula: wherein each X1, X2 and X<3> are individually hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, 1-methylcyclohexyl, cyano, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, carbonyl, amino, acyl, phosphonyl, oxycarbonyl , amido, sulfinyl, silyl, alkoxy and thionyl. 5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the bis-phosphite ligand is a ligand of formula XI where each Y<1>, Y<2>, Y<3> and Y<4> means a tert-butyl residue and each Z<2 >, Z<3>, Z<4> and Z^ mean a methoxy acid residue and n is equal to zero. 6. Process according to claim 5, characterized in that the olefin starting material is an olefin selected from butene-1, butene-2 and a mixture essentially consisting of butene-1 and butene-2. 7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the hydroformylation comprises a continuous, catalyst-containing liquid recycling process.