Hydroformylation of Alkenes with CO

The hydroformylation of alkenes using CO2 instead of CO is an attractive target reaction. Since ruthenium complexes are active catalysts for the reduction of CO2 to CO and also for hydroformylation, it is expected that the hydroformylation of an alkene with CO2 would be successful. Indeed, Sasaki and coworkers found that Ru4H4(CO)i2/LiCl catalyzed the hydroformylation of cyclohexene to give (hydroxymethyl) cyclohexane in 88% yield [141]. 

In the hydroformylation of terminal alkene, hydrogenation proceeds and a considerable amount of alkane is formed, together with 0x0 alcohols (Eq. 11.77). 

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HCo(CO)4 in Hydroformylation Reactions. As previously mentioned, HCo(CO)4 is a key intermediate in the homogeneous hydroformylation of alkenes with CO/H2 to aldehydes. Using HCo(CO)4 as the CO component, hydroformylation can be made stoichiometric when run under N2 as an inert atmosphere. 

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