Highly regioselective hydroformylation of 1,5-hexadiene to linear dialdehyde catalyzed by rhodium complexes with tetraphosphorus ligands

Rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1,5-hexadiene to corresponding dialdehydes was investigated using tetraphosphorus ligands. These ligands showed a high regioselectivity for linear aldehydes (linear to branch ratio up to 98%) in very good yield (up to 87%). It was found that the introduction of the substituents at the ortho position of the biphenyl moiety has little effect on the regioselectivity and the electron-donating substituents retard the reaction somewhat.