ON THE MECHANISM OF THE OXO REACTION

Abstract
The “oxo” o r hydroformylation reaction is a remarkable reaction on many accounts. Total annual world production of alcohols via the 0x0 reaction is now in excess of five billion pounds; thus there continues to be much interest in the technology of the reaction. The single alcohol produced in largest amount via the 0x0 process is 2-ethylhexanol, a product of the condensation of butyraldehyde, which in turn results from the hydroformylation of propylene. Although the commercial OxO reaction has been practised for more than 25 years, there has been thus far little technological change in the manufacturing process. (Only recently have modifications been introduced on a laboratory scale that have resulted in some fundamental technological changes. These developments are reviewed elsewhere in this issue.)

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