Summary of emerging trends in the hydroformylation process
Emerging trend
Description
Benefits
New ligand and catalyst design
Bulky phosphines, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs)-based ligands, recyclable heterogeneous catalysts
Improved selectivity, higher catalyst activity,
improved catalyst recyclability Near 100% metal utilisation, solvent-free, easy separation Cost-effective, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly Improved catalyst recycling,
Heterogeneous catalysis
Porous polymer-supported
rhodium catalysts with single active sites Stable and active cobalt carbonyl catalysts suitable for low pressures Water-soluble catalysts with organic product phase for continuous separation Combining hydroformylation with hydrogenation, aldol condensation
Low-pressure cobalt catalysis
Biphasic two-phase systems
reduced contamination Streamlined production,
Process integration
cost reduction
Table 2
Supported rhodium nanoparticle heterogeneous catalysts. Porous organic polymers with immobilised rhodium active sites. Low-pressure cobalt-based systems. Solid catalysts with isolated metal atoms for gas-phase reactions. Biphasic systems with water-soluble catalysts. These advances make hydroformylation a critical, adaptable process for modern petrochemical and specialty chemical industries. A summary of trends is provided in Table 2 . Summary and outlook Hydroformylation plays a critical role in integrating refining with petrochemicals by converting refinery olefins such as ethylene and propylene into valuable aldehydes, including propionaldehyde and butyraldehydes. These intermediates serve as key building blocks for producing alcohols, acids, esters, detergents, plasticisers, and pharmaceuticals, making hydroformylation a cornerstone of global chemical production with millions of tons manufactured annually. As transportation fuel demand levels off and petrochemical demand rises, hydroformylation provides a strategic pathway for refineries to shift toward high-value chemical production. Its ability to upgrade conventional feedstocks into essential petrochemical intermediates positions it at the centre of refinery- petrochemical integration. To meet environmental and economic challenges, the hydroformylation process
is evolving through the development of heterogeneous catalysts to replace traditional homogeneous systems, improving catalyst recovery, reducing metal losses, and enhancing overall efficiency. Innovations in ligand design and catalytic materials are further driving improvements in selectivity, stability, and energy efficiency. The push towards sustainable feedstocks, including renewable olefins and refinery off-gases, is reshaping hydroformylation into a more circular and eco-efficient process. Integration with other catalytic processes, such as hydrogenation and aldol condensation, along with advancements in biphasic and gas-phase systems, supports process intensification and lowers operational costs. In conclusion, hydroformylation remains central to modern petrochemical production and will play an even greater role as refineries adapt to evolving market demands. NORMAX is a trademark of Dow. LP Oxo SELECTOR M30 is a trademark of Johnson Matthey.
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Dr Raj Kumar Das rajkumardas001@bharatpetroleum.in Dr Chanchal Samanta chanchalsamanta@bharatpetroleum.in Dr Bharat L Newalkar newalkarbl@bharatpetroleum.in Chandrasekhar N chandrasekharn@bharatpetroleum.in
Refining India
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