ROTACAT: A rotating device containing a designed catalyst for highly selective hydroformylation

A novel concept is presented for the immobilization of a homogeneous catalyst. A hydroformylation catalyst was covalently anchored to monoliths that were constructed as the blades of a mechanical stir rer and used in a batch process. The catalyst was effective in the hydroformylation of both higher and lon er alkenes and showed a high regioselectivity for the Linear aldehyde. The concept was proven to be useful in a liquid organic and aqueous phase as well as in the gas phase and the catalyst could be used numerous times without catalyst deterioration. No catalyst deactivation was observed in a period over half a year.