HYDROFORMYLATION OF PROPYLENE USING AN UNMODIFIED COBALT CARBONYL CATALYST - A KINETIC-STUDY

The kinetics of hydroformylation of propylene using an unmodified cobalt carbonyl catalyst has been investigated in a temperature range of 383-423 K and a pressure range of 35-100 bar. Effects of the propylene and catalyst concentrations and the partial pressures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen on the rate of hydroformylation have been measured. Initial rates were found to be in the kinetic regime for the intensively stirred reactor used. An empirical rate model has been proposed, which was found to represent the rate data with a standard deviation of 7 %. Its two kinetic parameters were evaluated, and the activation energy was found to be 77 kJ mol-1.