Kinetics of hydroformylation of styrene using homogeneous rhodium complex catalyst

The kinetics of hydroformylation of styrene using HRh(CO)(PPh<SUB>3</SUB>)<SUB>3</SUB> has been investigated in the temperature range 333-353 K. The effect of styrene and catalyst concentration, partial pressures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen on the rate of reaction has been investigated. The rate was found to be first order with respect to catalyst concentration and hydrogen partial pressure. The dependence of rate with CO, showed a typical substrate inhibited kinetics. The rate was found to be independent of styrene concentration. A rate equation has been proposed based on a mechanistic model and kinetic parameters evaluated. The activation energy was found to be 68.802 kJ mol<SUP>-1