Hydroformylation of vinyl acetate using homogeneous HRh(CO)(PPh₃)₃ catalyst: a kinetic study

The kinetics of hydroformylation of vinyl acetate using HRh(CO)(PPh3)3 catalyst has been investigated in the temperature range 50 - 70 °C. The effect of partial pressures of H2 and CO, concentrations of vinyl acetate and HRh(CO)(PPh3)3 on the rate of hydroformylation was studied. It was observed that certain minima of concentration of HRh(CO)(PPh3)3 and H2 partial pressure are necessary for the reaction to proceed. Beyond such critical concentrations, the rate was found to be first order with H2 and catalyst. With increasing CO and vinyl acetate concentrations, the rates passed through maxima, indicating substrate inhibition at higher concentrations. The observed kinetics has been discussed on the basis of a reaction mechanism. Finally, several rate equations were examined to arrive at a satisfactory one. The activation energy was found to be 17.86 kcal mol-1