585. ------. [DU PONT DE NEMOURS, E. I., & Co.] Synthesis of Organic Oxygen-Containing Compounds. British Patent 614,010. Dec. 8. 1948: appl. filed June 5, 1946. British Abs., 1949, B. II, p. 711: Chem. Zentralb., 1950, I. p. 228: Chem. Abs., vol. 43

Patent Abstracts

585. ------. [DU PONT DE NEMOURS, E. I., & Co.] Synthesis of Organic Oxygen-Containing Compounds. British Patent 614,010. Dec. 8. 1948: appl. filed June 5, 1946. British Abs., 1949, B. II, p. 711: Chem. Zentralb., 1950, I. p. 228: Chem. Abs., vol. 43, 1949. p. 4685.

Olefinic compound is treated with CO and H₂ (1:2-4) at 75º-250º and >300 atm. in presence of a reducing catalyst (0.1-10% by weight of the reaction mixture), for example, Ni, Co, Fe, Cu, Ru, promoted with ThO₂ or Mn, in an inert solvent, such as cyclohexane, xylene, HCO₂Me, Et₂O, or an inert gas, or with an excess of 1 reactant as diluent, to give O-containing compounds with a preponderance of aldehydes. Ketone formation is virtually completely avoided above 300 atm. In presence of H₂O unsaturated aldehydes are formed. The products may be treated further in situ to give cyclic trimers or hydrogenated further to give alcohols. Above 180º interaction between alcohol and aldehyde may give acetals. Example: A mixture of C₂H₄, CO, and H₂ (1:1:4) is passed at 140º-150º at 500 atm. over reduced fused Co. and the liquid product is fractionated to give EtCHO (95.5%). Various olefins may be used for the reaction.