The Rate of Formation of Cobalt Hydrocarbonyl under Various Conditions of Oxo Reaction

Abstract

Abstract By treating a solution of dicobalt octacarbonyl in toluene at 100°C under various partial pressures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and by determining the initial rate of formation of cobalt hydrocarbonyl, we have found that the initial rate increases with the increasing pressure of hydrogen and decreases with the increasing pressure of carbon monoxide. These effects of partial pressures on the initial rate of formation of cobalt hydrocarbonyl are parallel with the effects of partial pressures on the rate of the oxo reaction reported by Natta. In addition, the amount of cobalt hydrocarbonyl in the system during the oxo reaction of methylacrylate and cyclohexene in toluene at 120°C was determined; it was found that only a trace of cobalt hydrocarbonyl appears when acrylate is present, while a large amount of it is present even when cyclohexene is present in the system.