BIS[TRIS(META-(SODIUM SULFONATO)PHENYL)PHOSPHINE] HEXACARBONYL DICOBALT, CO2(CO)6(P(META-C6H4SO3NA)3)2, IN A SUPPORTED AQUEOUS PHASE FOR THE HYDROFORMYLATION OF 1-HEXENE

The synthesis of the cobalt carbonyl phosphine complex, Co2(CO)6(P(m-C6H4SO3Na)3)2, is described and the complex is used as a catalyst for the hydroformylation of 1-hexene under two-phase and supported aqueous phase reaction conditions. Under two-phase reaction conditions both with and without excess phosphine substantial quantities of cobalt are leached into the organic phase and the observed activity is consistent with catalyst from HCo(CO)4 in the organic phase. When the complex is supported onto the controlled pore glass CPG-340 in a supported aqueous phase configuration the amount of cobalt lost into the organic phase is minimized and the observed activity appears to come from the complex on the glass. When excess phosphine as well as the complex are supported on the glass cobalt leaching is further reduced under batch reaction conditions.