Transition metal complex catalyzed processes

A Group VIII transition metal complex hydroformylation catalytic precursor composition consisting essentially of a solubilized group VIII transition metal-poly-phosphite complex, an organic solvent, and free poly-phosphite ligand, wherein the poly-phosphite ligand of said complex and free poly-phosphite ligand are each individually and identical or different ligand having the general formula ##STR19## wherein each Ar group represents an identical or different, substituted or unsubstituted aryl radical;

• wherein X represents a m-valent radical selected from the group consisting of alkylene, alkylene-oxy-alkylene, arylene and arylene--(CH.sub.2)y--(Q)n--(CH.sub.2)y--arylene, wherein each arylene radical is the same as Ar defined above;
• wherein each y individually has a value of 0 or 1;
• wherein each Q individually represents a divalent bridging group selected from the class consisting of --CR.sup.1 R.sup.2 --, --O--, --S--, --NR.sup.3 --, --SiR.sup.4 R.sup.5 -- and --CO--, wherein each R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 radical individually represents a radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, phenyl, tolyl and anisyl, wherein each R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 radical individually represents --H or --CH.sub.3 ;
• wherein each n individually has a value of 0 or 1;
• and wherein m has a value of 2 to 6.