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How does hydroformylation convert alkenes into aldehydes?
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aldehyde
Alcohols may be oxidized to give aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids. The oxidation of organic compounds generally increases the number of bonds from carbon to oxygen, and it may decrease the number of bonds to hydrogen.
Hydroformylation, also known as the oxo process, is a catalytic reaction used in the petrochemical industry to synthesize aldehydes from alkenes.312
The process involves the addition of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to an alkene, resulting in an aldehyde that contains one more carbon atom than the original alkene molecule. This reaction typically requires the use of a catalyst, such as cobalt (e.g., ) or rhodium, and proceeds through a series of organometallic intermediates.123
Because the resulting aldehydes are highly versatile, they are frequently reduced to alcohols for use in the production of detergents, plasticizers, and solvents. This industrial process is conducted on a massive scale, producing millions of tons of material annually.1