Mechanism of acetaldehyde formation from the carbon monoxide–hydrogen reaction below atmospheric pressure over supported Rh catalysts

Abstract

The mechanism of acetaldehyde formation from the CO + H₂ reaction was examined by the isotopic tracer method using ¹³CO and C¹⁸O; the reaction takes place in two steps: (i)CO insertion into C₁ specise Which are the reaction intermediates for both hydrocarbons and acetaldehyde and (ii) subsequent formation of acetate ion in which one oxygen atoms is supplied from the support, finally producing acetaldehyde.