A hydrophilic metal–ligand complex formed from the precursor [dicarbonyl(acetylacetonato)rhodium(I)] {[Rh(acac)(CO)2]} and the bidentate ligand [2,7‐bis(SO3Na)‐4,5‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐9,9‐dimethylxanthene] (SulfoXantPhos), was found to be a suitable candidate as a catalyst complex for the hydroformylation of 1‐dodecene in multiphase systems formulated from water, 1‐dodecene, and a nonionic surfactant. To improve the solubilization of the olefin in the aqueous phase, surfactants were added. The multiphase system acted as a tunable solvent, through which not only the interfacial area was increased during the reaction but also the phase separation behavior could be manipulated through temperature changes, thus allowing an easy separation of the expensive rhodium complex from the organic phase after the reaction. The influence of different process parameters such as the type of surfactant, type of ligand, and the metal/ligand ratio was investigated and discussed. Also the influence of the phase state on the reaction was determined. Under optimized reaction conditions, turnover frequencies of >300 h−1 and selectivities of 98:2 towards the linear product could be achieved.

Within the framework of the Collaborative Research Centre SFB/TR 63 InPROMPT, “Integrated chemical processes in liquid multiphase systems”, a novel process concept for the hydroformylation of long chain alkenes to aldehydes in microemulsions is investigated and developed at the Berlin Institute of Technology (Technische Universität Berlin), Germany. To start the hydroformylation reaction, a hydrophilic rhodium-ligand-complex is required. By applying a nonionic surfactant, a microemulsion system is formed and thus the hydrophilic catalyst is transported into the hydrophobic alkene phase. Next to achieve a high conversion rate in the continuously stirred tank reactor, the separation of the valuable rhodium catalyst from the product phase poses a challenge. This separation is the crucial step for the technical and economic feasibility of the overall process concept and plant design. Owing to the lack of thermodynamic data for microemulsion mixtures, the design of the phase separation unit strongly depends on experimental results. Consequently, a systematic experimental approach has been developed to identify potential operating conditions and relevant design parameters. To classify and find these, a set of experimental set-ups have been investigated to characterize impact factors on the phase separation such as type of surfactant, different concentrations of surfactant, olefin, product, and water. With the information gained through the observations the relevant composition of the investigated mixture and the separation temperature are determined for the operating conditions. Finally, necessities with regards to plant and process design are revealed.

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