3652.     WENDER, I., LEVIN, R., AND ORCHIN, M.  Chemistry of the Oxo and Related Reactions.  I.  Homologation of Alcohols.  Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 71, 1949, pp. 4160-4161; Chem. Abs., vol. 44, 1950, p. 2439.

        Investigations at the Bureau of Mines have revealed that an alcohol can be converted to the homologous alcohol containing 1 C atom more than the original one by the Oxo or hydroformylation reaction without proceeding via an olefin intermediate followed by a 1-step hydroformylation-hydrogenation.  The process is to treat the alcohol with synthesis gas, 1H₂:1CO, at 160°-180° and 3,200 p.s.i. for 1-1.5 hr. in the presence of a Co catalyst, cobaltous acetate, or cobaltous oxide.  By this means, benzyl alcohol is converted to β-phenylethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol to n-butyl and isobutyl alcohol, and t-butyl alcohol to isoamyl alcohol.  It is believed that the homologation reaction is an acid, HCoCO₄, catalyzed reaction that proceeds via a carbonium ion according to a mechanism that will be discussed later.