Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.

Jean A Hanin

Pierre E Verrier

Eddy Theophile Van Driessche

Raf Caers

Arie Van Vliet

John C Reisch

Nicolaas A De Munck

Vargas, Jose M

Mattheus D Olijve

Cobalt is recovered from the oil/water mixed reaction product of oxonation by increasing the carbon dioxide level in the reaction product and adjusting the temperature to enhance the carbon dioxide level in the oil water phase to promote the formation of cobalt carbonate which is allowed to settle and may be removed and/or recycled increasing cobalt utilization and reducing environmental problems.

Minimizing cobalt catalyst loss in the production of alcohols by

Improved oxo process for preparing higher alcohols by hydrolyzing prior to hydrogenation a demetalled hydroformylation reaction product in the presence of an alumina catalyst having a surface area between 40 to about 60 m.sup.2 /g.

Oxo process for increasing yield of oxo alcohol

Ether/ether-alcohol rich compositions are produced by hydrogenating hydroformylation reaction products, separating an ether/ether-alcohol containing mixture from the hydrogenation product, and catalytically hydrogenating such mixture at 200.degree.-250.degree. C. and 30-100 atmospheres. The crude product is then reflux distilled to separate the ether/ether-alcohol rich compositions from lighter and heavier ends.

Production of ether/ether-alcohol compositions

Heavy organic by-products obtained by hydroformylating olefins and hydrogenating the crude product to obtain higher alcohols, and their steam cracked derivatives, have been found useful as viscosity modifiers and low temperature property improvers in flexible PVC compositions.

Ether-containing mixtures in flexible PVC

The higher alcohol yield of a hydroformylation process comprising catalytic hydroformylation of olefinic feedstock and hydrogenation of the crude product is improved by separating light materials and desired alcohols from the hydrogenated product, and then subjecting the remaining heavy materials to catalytic steam cracking at 260.degree.-380.degree. C. The fraction of the cracked product which is rich in alcohol/aldehyde is then separated and recycled, preferably to the hydrogenation stage.

Hydroformylation of olefins

Ether containing mixtures in flexible PVC

Cobalt values are removed from the crude product of a cobalt-catalyzed hydroformylation reaction by contacting the product with stripping gas to entrain volatile cobalt compounds, in the presence of water or aqueous acid to dissolve cobalt values not so entrained.

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Rixensart, Belgium

Jean A Hanin