2870.     ---------------.  [ROELEN, O.]  [Synthesis of Aldehydes and Derivatives From Olefins, Carbon Monoxide, and Hydrogen.]  Angew, Chem., vol. 60, 1948, A, p. 62; British Abs., 1949, A, II, p. 3.

        Reaction of olefins with CO and H₂ over Co or Fe, to give aldehydes containing 1 C atom more than the olefin, is described in detail.  C₂H₄ with CO and H₂ in equivalent proportions, with a Co catalyst, at 115° and not less than 100 atm. gives 75% EtCHO.  Byproducts include aldol condensation products and below 100°, COEt₂.  Above 200°, C₂H₆ and PrOH are obtained over a Co-Cu catalyst.  Only Fe may replace Co as catalyst.  It should be introduced or generated in finely divided form.  The actual catalysts are metal carbonyls, which may replace the metal, thus enabling lower reaction pressures to be used.  Water gas may replace CO and H₂.  Production of aldehydes is a general relations of olefins.  Higher olefins react best at 130°-150° and give less byproducts than does C₂H₄.  Unsymmetrical olefins may give a mixture of 2 isomeric aldehydes, but steric factors may suppress the formation of 1 of them.  Aldehydes, C₄-C₂₄, can be obtained from the olefins produced in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and can be reduced readily, without isolation, over similar Co catalysts to the corresponding alcohols.  Derivatives of these products and their possible industrial applications are listed.  C₂H₂ and water gas over Co at 140°-150° and 10 atm. give 120 gm. per m.³ liquid products.  Chiefly they are unsaturated secondary products of higher molecular weight.  No experimental details.