Synlett 2011(18): 2648-2651  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1289292
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Syngas-Mediated C-C Bond Formation in Flow: Selective Rhodium-Catalysed Hydroformylation of Styrenes

Sivarajan Kasinathana, Samuel L. Bourneb, Päivi Tolstoyb, Peter Koosb, Matthew O’Brienb, Roderick W. Batesa, Ian R. Baxendaleb, Steven V. Ley*b
a Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore, Singapore
b Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
Fax: +44(1223)336442; e-Mail: svl1000@cam.ac.uk;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 19 August 2011
Publication Date:
07 October 2011 (online)

Abstract

We report a continuous flow, rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of various styrenes using a tube-in-tube gas-liquid reactor. The flow process afforded selectively branched aryl aldehydes in good yields.

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Semipermeable Teflon AF-2400 tubing was purchased from Biogeneral Inc., 9925 Mesa Rim Road, San Diego, CA, USA. www.biogeneral.com

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The styrene product fraction (˜5 mL) was collected in a sample vial under a steady stream of argon to remove ethylene gas from the solution. After fraction collection (˜5 min), argon was bubbled through the reaction solution for a further 5 min. The solution was then loaded into the 1 mL sample loop in preparation for the hydroformylation.