A self-emulsifying catalytic system for the aqueous biphasic hydroformylation of triglycerides

Abstract

The Rh-catalyzed hydroformylation of the CC double bonds of triglycerides (T) was performed in aqueous medium through the formation of supramolecular complexes resulting from the inclusion of the alkenyl chains of T into the cavity of modified cyclodextrins (CDs). Mixing T and the aqueous catalytic phase in the presence of CDs led to emulsions that were characterized by phase diagrams and nephelometric measurements. Variations of the nature of the CDs, the reaction temperature, the CO/H₂ pressure and the nature of the catalyst allowed for the optimization of the catalytic conditions. The concept was efficiently applied to commercial oils. Molecular dynamics simulations corroborated the experimental data.