PATENT

3364. ----- SMITH, W. M., LUENING, W. D., AND LANE, S. C.   (Standard Oil Development Co.).  Synthesis of Oxygenated Organic Compounds.  United States Patent 2,596,920, May 13, 1952; appl. filed July 30, 1948, Serial No. 41,668; 20 claims (Cl. 260-604).  chem.. Abs., vol. 47, 1953, p. 1728.

In a continuous carbonylation process, oxygenated organic compounds are formed in the presence of Co catalyst and Co carbonyls become dissolved in these reaction products.  These dissolved Co compounds are recovered by passing the reaction products containing them to a decomposition zone maintained under conditions of temperature and pressure just sufficient to prevent decomposition of the liquid reaction products but enough to maintain a substantially rapid rate of Co carbonyl decomposition and its separation as metallic Co.  Temperatures of 200°400° F. and pressures of 50-150 p. s. i. g. are generally suitable for an oxygenated product having an average of 6 or more C atoms per molecule.  A liquid product is obtained comprising aldehydes substantially free of dissolved catalyst.