PATENTS

      1472.  ------.  [I. G. FARBENINDUSTRIE, A. G.]  [Producing Oxygenated Organic Compounds.]  German Patent Appl. I 71,966. OZ 13,366. filed Apr. 4. 1942 (Cl. IV d-12 o).  FIAT Reel 167, frames 6,262-6,268: PB 75,639: TOM Reel 36. item 21, bag 3,454. 7 pp.; Meyer Transl. PC-S-V, Oxo, vol. 1, chap. 14, 1948, p. 35.

            Oxygenated compounds, such as aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols, are obtained by interaction of CO and H₂ on olefins with double bonds at raised temperature and pressure in presence of catalysts and with the addition of enough H₂O to create a liquid condition in the reactor.  Example: A pressure vessel is packed with a catalyst of Co on silica gel, and a 1: 1: 1 mixture of C₂H₄, CO, and H₂ is passed over it at 200º and 200 atm. at a rate of 25 1. per hr.  During the same time 10 1. of H₂O are trickled over it.  The product of the reaction is an aqueous liquid with admixture of oily substances.  After repeated fractionation at reduced pressure considerable propionaldehyde is obtained, with smaller amounts of higher boiling compounds, mainly ethymethylacrolein.