Microencapsulated rhodium/cross-linked PVP catalysts in the hydroformylation of 1-hexene

A rhodium complex Rh(acac)(CO)2 microencapsulated into poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) cross-linked with 2% or 25% divinylbenzene (DVB) was developed as a catalyst for the hydroformylation of 1-hexene. A study was made of the catalytic activity, recyclability, and effect of DVB content of the Rh/P4VP-25% and Rh/P4VP-2% systems. The best yields of hydroformylation products were achieved with the Rh/P4VP-25% as a catalyst. With a high DVB content and regular, spherically shaped particles, Rh/P4VP-25% was an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the hydroformylation of 1-hexene. The recyclability was good and the 1-hexene conversion high.

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► Active Rh/P4VP-25% microcapsules as a catalyst.
► Uniform spherical morphology of Rh/P4VP-25% with good recyclability, and catalytic activity
► Partial protection of the air sensitive catalyst by microencapsulation.