Mitsubishi second generation process

As a result, the second-generation processes used rhodium as the metal. The first rhodium-catalysed, ligand-modified process came on stream in 1974 (Celanese) and more were to follow in 1976 (Union Carbide Corporation) and in 1978 (Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), all using triphenylphosphine (tpp). The UCC (now Dow) process has been licensed to many other users and it is... 

Mitsubishi Chemical s 1,4-Butanediol Manufacturing Process Second-Generation Process... 

The second-generation process corresponds to the use of the more active rhodium catalysts (Celanese Corporation, Union Carbide, BASF, Mitsubishi). These processes are performed under mild reaction conditions and generate many fewer byproducts. The selectivity for linear aldehydes is also increased. Thanks to the use of phosphine ligands, the thermal stability of the catalyst is increased and the recycling can be performed by distillation with moderate rhodium losses. 

Rhodococcus sp. N-774 and Pseudomonas chlororaphis B23 resting cells have been used at industrial scale (as first- and second-generation biocatalysts) for the biological production of acrylamide from acrylonitrile since the 1980s [21]. Currently Rhodococcus rhodochrous J1 is being adopted as a third-generation biocatalyst (Mitsubishi Rayon Co.). The industrial production of nicotinamide from 3-cyanopyridine is also operated with this strain (Lonza AG). However, despite the enormous potentiality of nitrile-hydrolyzing biocatalysts for industrial applications, only a few commercial processes have been realized [22]. 

---