Propylene, hydroformylation from methanol

The [FesPU] heterogeneous catalyst prepared from [TMBA]2[Fe3Pt3(CO)is] (26) was very selective for CO hydrogenation in methanol whereas the [TMBA]2[Fe4Pt(CO)i6]-derived [Fe4Pt] catalyst, also silica-supported, was more active but yielded predominantly methane. " These catalysts were less active in propylene hydroformylation than iron-palladium systems. ... 

Commercial isobutyl alcohol is made almost exclusively from the hydrogenation of isobutyraldehyde obtained by the hydroformylation of propylene. However, this alcohol is also commonly obtained as a coproduct in the Eischer Tropsch synthesis of methanol (16,17). 

On leaving the reactor, the nonpolar products were separated from the catalyst by adding water or methanol to split the reaction mixture into two liquid phases. The two phases were separated by decantation, and the products thus recovered. The catalyst was dried and purified before being returned to the reactor. The lifetime of the catalyst was extended to several years, though make-up quantities had to be added to replenish any small losses. Increasing the solubility of the catalyst by use of more effective ligands was claimed to produce a catalyst that was active for the hydroformylation of octane, dodecene and even styrene, in addition to propylene and butene. 

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