3.     ADKINS, H., AND KRSEK, G.  Preparation of Aldehydes From Alkenes by Addition of Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen With Cobalt Carbonyls as Intermediates.  Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 70, 1948, pp. 383-386; Chem. Abs. vol. 42, 1948, p. 2925.

             Application of the Oxo process (U.S. Patent 2,327,066) to organic synthesis is presented.  Several aldehydes have been prepared in an average yield of 50% by the addition of CO and H₂ to the alkene linkage in pentene-2, styrene, and other alkenes.  The first step in the catalysis of the reaction appears to be formation of an ether-soluable Co compound, dicobalt octacarbonyl.  Although the conversion of the alkene to the aldehyde may be brought about at 150° in the presence of the Co and H₂ on a support, it appears advantageous to use preformed dicobalt octacarbonyl in ether or other solvent for the catalysis of the synthetic reaction.  The dicobalt octacarbonyl is readily made at 150° by the direct reaction of Co and CO and may be kept in ether for use as needed as a catalyst.  The addition of CO and H₂ to an alkene goes very rapidly at 125° or lower in the presence of dicobalt octacarbonyl.  The reactions may be carried out at 100-300 atm. pressure in the steel reaction vessels ordinarily used for hydrogenation.  Warning is given as to the health hazards involved in the use of the Co carbonyls.