Hydroformylation Catalysis at Eastman Chemical: Generations of Catalysts

Abstract

Eastman Chemical has a long term hydroformylation research program that has resulted in several successful low pressure rhodium catalyst technologies. The history of the bidentate ligand, BISBI, and the more recent development of halophosphite ligands will be discussed. The BISBI ligand is well known for high selectivity to the normal isomer and has been widely discussed in the literature. The relatively unknown halophosphite ligands exhibit a unique ability to produce aldehyde products with a variable range of linear to branched ratios by manipulating reaction variables such as reaction temperature, ligand concentration or carbon monoxide partial pressure. The halophosphite catalysts have been found to be resistant to poisoning by traditional hydroformylation poisons such as acetylene.