The present invention relates to hydroformylation processes for producing aldehydes. In some embodiments, the process comprises contacting in a reaction zone reactants comprising an olefin, hydrogen and CO in the presence of a rhodium-organophosphite based catalyst, optionally with free organophosphite ligand, and 0.1 to 3 weight percent, based on the total weight of the fluid in the reaction zone, of certain polymers specified herein, such that the solubility of the polymer in the aldehyde is greater than or equal to 1 weight percent at 40° C.

The present invention relates to a method to synthesize with high yield a colored metal complex of β-diketones and/or polyphenols by mechanochemistry without using aqueous or organic solvents and covers new complexes obtained therefrom. In an embodiment, only the reactants, a metal alkoxide and a β-diketone and/or a polyphenol, are present and react at different molar ratios to form a metal complex in the form of a homogeneous colored material (i.e. powder) with high yield. If curcumin is used, the color of the final metal complex dye depends on several factors such as the curcuminoids, the metal, the type of alkoxide used, the stoichiometric molar ratio of both reactants and the additives used. If titanium alkoxide and any additive is used, a red or violet colored titanium curcumin complex in powder form is produced. The production process of the metal complex in powder form is characterized by facility of scale up. The entire product is ready to be used in several applications. If polyphenols such as ferulic acid, quercetin, ellagic acid or lignin are used instead of curcumin, other colored complexes are obtained using mechanochemistry. In addition, the product comprising metal complexes of β-diketones and/or polyphenols is characterized by green chemistry manufacture. Besides, these metal complexes of β-diketones and/or polyphenols in several formulations are characterized by improved stability under storage conditions and improved sun protection against UV rays for human skin and human hair. The product is ready to be used alone or in combination with other additives or active ingredients in different formulations. The invention also covers the use of these metal β-diketones/polyphenol complexes in food, cosmetics, the pharmaceutical field and in the creativity field, as sunscreen, skin and hair concealer or foundation in powder form or cream, keratinous dye, textile dye, food dye, dye emulsions, miniemulsions, polymer colloids and catalysts.

The production process of these novel metal-complex dyes is also characterized by rapid production of colored compounds without using solvents and, thus, ecofriendliness. The process of the production of metal β-diketone and/or polyphenol complexes is characterized by the non-formation of toxic by-products and high yield.

In addition, the present invention comprises a hair dyeing molecule or formulation and procedure combining excellent dyeing properties with reduced risk of development cancer or allergies, while being ecological and of the natural origin.

The present invention relates to a method to synthesize with high yield a colored metal complex of β-diketones and/or polyphenols by mechanochemistry without using aqueous or organic solvents and covers new complexes obtained therefrom. In an embodiment, only the reactants, a metal alkoxide and a β-diketone and/or a polyphenol, are present and react at different molar ratios to form a metal complex in the form of a homogeneous colored material (i.e. powder) with high yield. If curcumin is used, the color of the final metal complex dye depends on several factors such as the curcuminoids, the metal, the type of alkoxide used, the stoichiometric molar ratio of both reactants and the additives used. If titanium alkoxide and any additive is used, a red or violet colored titanium curcumin complex in powder form is produced. The production process of the metal complex in powder form is characterized by facility of scale up. The entire product is ready to be used in several applications. If polyphenols such as ferulic acid, quercetin, ellagic acid or lignin are used instead of curcumin, other colored complexes are obtained using mechanochemistry. In addition, the product comprising metal complexes of β-diketones and/or polyphenols is characterized by green chemistry manufacture. Besides, these metal complexes of β-diketones and/or polyphenols in several formulations are characterized by improved stability under storage conditions and improved sun protection against UV rays for human skin and human hair. The product is ready to be used alone or in combination with other additives or active ingredients in different formulations. The invention also covers the use of these metal β-diketones/polyphenol complexes in food, cosmetics, the pharmaceutical field and in the creativity field, as sunscreen, skin and hair concealer or foundation in powder form or cream, keratinous dye, textile dye, food dye, dye emulsions, miniemulsions, polymer colloids and catalysts.

The production process of these novel metal-complex dyes is also characterized by rapid production of colored compounds without using solvents and, thus, ecofriendliness. The process of the production of metal β-diketone and/or polyphenol complexes is characterized by the non-formation of toxic by-products and high yield.

In addition, the present invention comprises a hair dyeing molecule or formulation and procedure combining excellent dyeing properties with reduced risk of development cancer or allergies, while being ecological and of the natural origin.

The present invention relates to hydroformylation processes for producing aldehydes. In some embodiments, the process comprises contacting in a reaction zone reactants comprising an olefin, hydrogen and CO in the presence of a rhodium-organophosphite based catalyst, optionally with free organophosphite ligand, and 0.1 to 3 weight percent, based on the total weight of the fluid in the reaction zone, of certain polymers specified herein, such that the solubility of the polymer in the aldehyde is greater than or equal to 1 weight percent at 40° C.

The present invention relates to hydroformylation processes for producing aldehydes. In some embodiments, the process comprises contacting in a reaction zone reactants comprising an olefin, hydrogen and CO in the presence of a rhodium-organophosphite based catalyst, optionally with free organophosphite ligand, and 0.1 to 3 weight percent, based on the total weight of the fluid in the reaction zone, of certain polymers specified herein, such that the solubility of the polymer in the aldehyde is greater than or equal to 1 weight percent at 40° C.

Some embodiments of the present invention relate to processes for reducing heavies formation in a solution comprising one or more aldehydes, such as a reaction fluid in a hydroformylation process. In some embodiments, the process comprises providing 0.1 to 5 wt. percent of an organic nitrogen compound based on the total weight of the aldehyde solution, the organic nitrogen compound comprising: wherein each of R1-R5 are independently hydrogen, an alkyl, or an aryl radical. ##STR00001##

Provided are methods of treating a mixture, such as a hydrocarbon mixture, that includes one or more C2-C4 carbonyl containing organic compounds. The methods may include contacting a hydrocarbon mixture with an aqueous liquid including an agent. The agent may reduce the amount of one or more C2-C4 carbonyl containing organic compounds in the mixture.

Provided are methods of treating a mixture, such as a hydrocarbon mixture, that includes one or more C2-C4 carbonyl containing organic compounds. The methods may include contacting a hydrocarbon mixture with an aqueous liquid including an agent. The agent may reduce the amount of one or more C2-C4 carbonyl containing organic compounds in the mixture.

Some embodiments of the present invention relate to processes to recover rhodium from a hydroformylation process. In some embodiments, the process to recover rhodium from the hydroformylation process comprises (a) treating a catalyst-containing stream from the hydroformylation process with 2.5 to 20 weight percent, based on the total weight of the stream, of a water-soluble organic amine of the following structure: wherein R.sup.32, R.sup.33, and R.sup.34 are each independently alkyls and ethoxylates, and wherein no more than one of R.sup.32, R.sup.33, and R.sup.34 is alkyl; (b) heating the resulting solution in the presence of syngas to a temperature of at least 65 C. to generate a rhodium-rich phase and a supernatant; and (c) removing the supernatant to recover the rhodium-rich phase.

##STR00001##

Some embodiments of the present invention relate to processes to recover rhodium from a hydroformylation process. In some embodiments, the process to recover rhodium from the hydroformylation process comprises (a) treating a catalyst-containing stream from the hydroformylation process with 2.5 to 20 weight percent, based on the total weight of the stream, of a water-soluble organic amine of the following structure: wherein R.sup.32, R.sup.33, and R.sup.34 are each independently alkyls and ethoxylates, and wherein no more than one of R.sup.32, R.sup.33, and R.sup.34 is alkyl; (b) heating the resulting solution in the presence of syngas to a temperature of at least 65 C. to generate a rhodium-rich phase and a supernatant; and (c) removing the supernatant to recover the rhodium-rich phase.

##STR00001##