Regioselective and rapid hydroformylation of vinyl acetate catalyzed by rhodium complex modified bulky phosphite ligand

The regioselective hydroformylation of vinyl acetate catalyzed by rhodium complex of monodentate phosphite ligand, tri-1-naphthylphosphite P(ONp)3, was investigated. The P(ONp)3 ligand exhibited a considerable impact on the rate and selectivity of hydroformylation of vinyl acetate, notably high turnover frequency (up to 11,520 h−1) with excellent regioselectivity (99%) to the preferred branched aldehyde and high selectivity to aldehyde (93%). Significant results with the substrate having less reactive character toward hydroformylation and practically easy accessibility of the ligand (synthesized from inexpensive compound, 1-naphthol) make this system very attractive.