A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes metal-ligand complexes having formula 1: ##STR00001##
wherein M is a transition metal; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 are independently C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups; o is 1, 2, 3, or 4; R.sub.3 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups, OR.sub.14, NO.sub.2, or halogen; R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, R.sub.11, R.sub.12, R.sub.13, are independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups; R.sub.14 is a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group; and X.sup. is a negatively charge counter ion.

The present disclosure relates generally to transition metal complex hydroformylation catalytic precursor compositions, to hydroformylation processes, and to processes for separating one or more heavies from a hydroformylation reaction product fluid in hydroformylation processes comprising a metal-monophosphite ligand complex catalyst.

Disclosed are a catalyst composition containing a phosphorous-based ligand and a hydroformylation process using the same. More specifically, disclosed are a catalyst composition containing a monodentate phosphite ligand, a monodentate phosphine ligand and a transition metal catalyst, wherein the total content of the entire ligand including the monodentate phosphite ligand and the monodentate phosphine ligand is 1 to 33 moles, based on 1 mole of the transition metal catalyst, and a hydroformylation method using the same. The present invention has an effect of providing a catalyst composition which reduces an N/I (ratio of normal to iso) selectivity of aldehydes produced by hydroformylation of an olefin-based compound and exhibits superior catalytic activity and stability, and a hydroformylation method of an olefin-based compound using the catalyst composition.

Disclosed are a catalyst composition containing a phosphorous-based ligand and a hydroformylation process using the same. More specifically, disclosed are a catalyst composition containing a monodentate phosphite ligand, a monodentate phosphine ligand and a transition metal catalyst, wherein the total content of the entire ligand including the monodentate phosphite ligand and the monodentate phosphine ligand is 1 to 33 moles, based on 1 mole of the transition metal catalyst, and a hydroformylation method using the same.

The present invention has an effect of providing a catalyst composition which reduces an N/I (ratio of normal to iso) selectivity of aldehydes produced by hydroformylation of an olefin-based compound and exhibits superior catalytic activity and stability, and a hydroformylation method of an olefin-based compound using the catalyst composition.

A formic acid decomposition catalyst system includes metal-ligand complexes having formula 1:

##STR00001##

wherein M is a transition metal; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 are independently C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups; o is 1, 2, 3, or 4; R.sub.3 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups, OR.sub.14, NO.sub.2, or halogen; R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, R.sub.11, R.sub.12, R.sub.13, are independently hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl groups; R.sub.14 is a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group; and X.sup. is a negatively charge counter ion.

The system includes a reactor vessel having a reactor space bound by a reactor wall. The reactor vessel is arranged for holding a mixture of a catalyst and formic acid in the reactor space. The reactor vessel includes a mixture inflow opening for allowing the mixture to enter the reactor space and a mixture outflow opening for allowing said mixture to exit the reactor space, and a gas outflow opening for allowing hydrogen originating from the mixture to exit the reactor space. A method for hydrogen production includes: providing the formic acid and the catalyst into the reactor space; withdrawing the mixture from the reactor space; heating and/or cooling the mixture to a predetermined temperature range outside the reactor space; and introducing the heated and/or cooled mixture into the reactor space in a predetermined direction having a tangential component arranged for stirring said mixture in the reactor space.

The system includes a reactor vessel having a reactor space bound by a reactor wall. The reactor vessel is arranged for holding a mixture of a catalyst and formic acid in the reactor space. The reactor vessel includes a mixture inflow opening for allowing the mixture to enter the reactor space and a mixture outflow opening for allowing said mixture to exit the reactor space, and a gas outflow opening for allowing hydrogen originating from the mixture to exit the reactor space. A method for hydrogen production includes providing the formic acid and the catalyst into the reactor space; withdrawing the mixture from the reactor space; heating and/or cooling the mixture to a predetermined temperature range outside the reactor space; and introducing the heated and/or cooled mixture into the reactor space in a predetermined direction having a tangential component arranged for stirring said mixture in the reactor space.