The Effect of Polyunsaturation – Insights into the Hydroformylation of Oleochemicals

Abstract

In the highly desired hydroformylation of vegetable oil-derived oleochemicals, isomerisation of double-bonds in polyunsaturated oleochemicals forms stable η3-Rh allyl species, temporarily inhibiting the catalyst. Selective hydrogenation of PU to monounsaturated compounds increases hydroformylation activity, increasing the turnover frequency to the highest reported value of 3201 h⁻¹ in sunflower methyl ester.