Process for producing rhodium compounds

Abstract

This invention relates to rhodium compounds having the general formula: HRh(CO)(XR.sub.3).sub.n (YR'.sub.3).sub.3-n wherein X is phosphorus, arsenic or antimony; Y is arsenic or antimony when X is phosphorus, Y is phosphorus or antimony when X is arsenic, or Y is phosphorus, arsenic or antimony when X is antimony; R and R' are aryl groups; and n is an integer of 1 or 2. Further, it relates to a process for the preparation of aldehydes by the hydroformylation of olefins in the presence of a rhodium catalyst, and more particularly for the production of aldehydes by the reaction of olefins such as propylene with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of HRh(CO)PPh.sub.3).sub.2 (AsPh.sub.3)/excess PPh.sub.3 and AsPh.sub.3 or HRh(CO)(PPh.sub.3)(AsPh.sub.3).sub.2 /excess PPh.sub.3 and AsPh.sub.3.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.