Cobalt Hydroformylation of Olefins in a Biphasic System Using Ionic Liquids – Development and Reaction Optimization by a Design Experiment Approach

The present paper describes the use of experimental designs (DoE) in association with high throughput experimentation devices for the optimization of cobalt hydroformylation of olefins in a biphasic system using ionic liquids. The main goal of the study was to gain insight into the various factors ([Co]NAIL, L/Co, Phorg/PhNAIL, pressure and temperature) and how they interact and influence the activity and selec-tivity of the catalyst. On the basis of a D-Optimal design, the study pointed out that temperature and to a less extend “Phaseorga/PhaseNAIL” ratio are the most critical parameters. These conclusions confirm to a certain extend, the initial hypothesis formulated to describe the process operation. Furthermore, this strategy in association with high throughput experimentation devices, allows to predict catalytic results in the major part of a cubic space (representing the experimental domain) giving us the opportunity to determine the most suitable catalysts composition and optimal reaction conditions