Regioselective hydroformylation of vinyl esters catalyzed by Rh(acac)(CO)2 with simple and efficient diphosphinite ligands

•An efficient protocol for hydroformylation of vinyl acetate was explored.•Used diphosphinite ligand was more active and selective then conventional ligands.•Various aliphatic, aromatic and higher vinyl esters were well tolerated.•Good conversion, excellent regio- and chemo-selectivity with high TON were achieved.

Simple and efficient diphosphinite ligands were evaluated in rhodium catalyzed hydroformylation of vinyl acetate. The effect of various reaction variables like temperature, pressure, substrate/Rh ratio, P/Rh ratio, solvents, time and different types of phosphorous ligands were studied. The diphosphinite ligand exhibited a considerable impact on the hydroformylation of vinyl esters and provided good turnover number (up to 10,000) with excellent regioselectivity (99%) to branched aldehyde. Wide range of vinyl esters including long chain aliphatic vinyl esters (up to C18) were well tolerated to provide good to excellent yield of desired product.

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