PATENTS

2800. ----- [ROELEN, O.]   (Ruhrchemie A. G.).  [Process for Preparing Valuable Oxo Compounds.]  German Patent Appl. R 103,362, R402, filed Sept. 19, 1938.  FIAT Reel K-20, frames 225-228; PB 70,211; TOM Reel 37, bag 3,451, item 35, 3 pp.; Meyer Transl.  PC-S-V, Oxo, vol. II, 1949, ch. 35, p. 12.

 In preparing valuable Oxo compounds by the condensation of unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds with CO, the unsaturated compounds such as olefins are converted at  elevated pressures and moderately increased temperatures in the presence of catalysts with CO, gases which contain CO or such gas mixtures which also contain H₂ as well as CO.  The reaction is carried out at pressures of 50 atm. or higher and temperatures <100°.  Example:  Through a reaction tube, which is filled with a Co-Th catalyst of the composition 100 parts Co : 15 Th : 200 kieselguhr, is passed at a temperature of 80°  and under pressure of 100 atm., a mixture of C₂H₄, CO, and H₂ in the ratio of 1 : 1 : 1 up to 2 : 1 : 1 .  There are obtained per m.³ of the gas mixture, depending upon the velocity of flow, 200-700 gm. of liquid product.  From this can be separated by simple fractionation about 20% of a fraction b. 50° which consists of pure propionaldehyde.  Higher aldehydes and ketones are present, as well as small amounts of oxygenated byproducts such as carboxylic acids.  Gaseous byproducts do not occur in notable amounts.

  See also United States Patent 2,327,066  (abs. 2803).