Ru-catalysed domino hydroformylation / hydrogenation / esterification using imidazole ligands

Process comprising the process steps of:

• a) initially charging an ethylenically unsaturated compound;
• b) adding a ligand of formula (I):
• wherein
• R1 is selected from:
• —(C1-C12)-alkyl, —(C6-C12)-cycloalkyl, —(C6-C20)-aryl, —(C5-C20)-heteroaryl, wherein the —(C6-C12)-cycloalkyl radical, the —(C6-C20-aryl radical and the —(C5-C20)-heteroaryl radical may have substituents which are selected from:
• —(C1-C12)-alkyl, —O—(C1-C12)-alkyl;
• R2 and R3 are selected from:
• —(C1-C12)-alkyl, —(C6-C12)-cycloalkyl, —(C6-C20)-aryl;
• wherein the —(C6-C12)-cycloalkyl radical and the —(C6-C20)-aryl radical may have substituents which are selected from:
• —(C1-C12)-alkyl, —O—(C1-C12)-alkyl;
• and a compound comprising Ru;
• c) adding an acid (II) having the formula (IIa) or (IIb):
• wherein R4 is —(C1-C18)-alkyl;
• wherein R5 is —(C1C18)-alkyl;
• d1) feeding in CO;
• e) heating the reaction mixture from a) to d) to convert the ethylenically unsaturated compound directly into an ester or diester of acid (II) without isolation of intermediates.