Microencapsulated ruthenium catalyst for the hydroformylation of 1-hexene

A ruthenium complex [Ru(CO)3Cl2]2 microencapsulated into poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) cross-linked with 25% divinylbenzene (DVB) was developed as a new catalyst for the hydroformylation of 1-hexene. The highest catalytic activity with the 93% total conversion, and with yields of 44% aldehydes and 26% alcohols was achieved at 423 K. Typically, the polymer capsules are used at temperatures below 373 K. The DVB cross-linked P4VP capsules were, however, thermally stable at 423 K and could be recycled at least four times with moderate loss of catalytic activity. The catalysts were characterized by SEM, ICP-MS, and FT-IR.

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► New microencapsulated Ru/P4VP-25% catalyst was developed for alkene hydroformylation.
► The DVB cross-linked P4VP microcapsules were thermally stable at least up to 423 K.
► The Ru/P4VP-25% catalysts were recyclable.