Oxo Alcohols

Published May 1978

This report is concerned with the manufacture of n-butanol and 2-ethylhexanol via oxo reactions. Our study compares the economics of oxo processing carried out with cobalt-phosphine, rhodium, and cobalt hydrocarbonyl catalysts.

The evaluation of 2-ethylhexanol manufacture by use of a cobalt hydrocarbonyl catalyst and conventional technology reflects improved information that has become available to the Process Economics Program (PEP) since our 1966 report. Of special interest in our current report are our initial evaluations of processes operating with the new rhodium catalyst that recently has been used for the first time commercially in the manufacture of oxo alcohols.

The chemical combination of an olefin with CO and H₂ to form an aldehyde is defined in the literature as the oxo or hydroformylation reaction. During the reaction some of the aldehyde can be hydrogenated to form a primary alcohol. Since the alcohol is frequently the end product desired, this report will refer broadly to the conversion of an olefin in a single reactor, to either an aldehyde or an alcohol, as the oxo or hydroformylation reaction. This broad definition applies even though the chemical mechanism may consist of several reactions. Technical information for the project was obtained from non-confidential material that has been released or published by various companies that are involved.

Other PEP Related Reports:

• Oxo Alcohols 21
• Oxo Alcohols 21A
• Oxo Alcohols 21C
• Oxo Alcohols 21D
• Oxo Alcohols 21E