Markets -> Chemical Catalysts -> Catalysts and technology for Oxo-Alcohol processes

Johnson Matthey Catalysts is able to offer the complete range of catalysts for the manufacture of Oxo-Alcohols.  Starting from the generation of synthesis gas, hydroformylation, and hydrogenation through to final product polishing and esterification; Johnson Matthey can supply catalyst products and application know-how for:

•  Reforming catalysts for generation of synthesis gas
•  Purification of olefins and hydrogen
•  Rhodium hydroformylation catalysts or precursors for such
•  Rhodium scavenging systems and technologies
•  Fixed bed hydrogenation catalysts for liquid and vapor phase operations
•  Fixed bed polishing catalysts for liquid or trickle phase
•  Catalysts for selective hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehydes
•  Homogeneous titanium based catalysts for esterification

And more:

•  Metal management
•  Rhodium refining
•  Oxo-Process licensing
•  Catalysts for downstream applications such as amination and NPG production

Hydroformylation
We offer a complete range of rhodium compounds for hydroformylation processes, such as rhodium chloride, rhodium acetate or the original Wilkinson catalyst RhCl(PPh₃)₃. We also offer Rhodium complexes such as RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₃ (Rh-42) and Rh(acac)(CO₂) (Rh-50).  Our ROPAC catalyst system Rh(acac)(CO)(PPh₃) is well known in the industry.

Metal scavenging, recovery and refining
In order to make your process more economic, Johnson Matthey has developed sophisticated solutions to scavenge metals like rhodium.  With our Smopex® technology, based on high capacity functional fibres for precious metal scavenging we offer a new way to remove such metals from your process steams and to minimize your losses.  We are also prepared to recover your rhodium form aqueous or organic process liquors.

Hydrogenation and polishing
We offer a variety of base metal fixed bed hydrogenation catalysts for the full hydrogenation of any aldehyde to the corresponding alcohol. We have an extensive range of PRICAT copper/silica, copper/zinc, copper/chrome, nickel/silica and HTC nickel/alumina catalysts for either liquid or vapor phase applications.  We can recommend our best choice once feedstock characteristics, process conditions and performance requirements on activity, selectivity and poison resistance are defined.

In order to improve your alcohol product quality by polishing or finishing we also offer PRICAT nickel and HTC catalysts, for the full range of alcohols, no matter what carbon number.

For the selective hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehydes, such as 2-ethylhexenal to 2-ethylhexanal, we can supply our palladium/alumina catalysts.

Oxo-Alcohol licensing
Oxo-Alcohol and Ester Technology is available for license supported by extensive operating experience and process development.  The Johnson Matthey Oxo-Alcohols process can be used to convert a wide range of olefins to the corresponding alcohols. 

The distinctive feature of the Johnson Matthey Oxo-Alcohols process compared to processes offered by other companies is that it uses an unliganded rhodium catalyst for the hydroformylation reaction. This was made possible by the development of a highly efficient rhodium harvesting process. Use of unliganded rhodium means that the process can convert a wide range of linear and branched olefins (typically C₆ to C₁₄ ) to give aldehydes and alcohols with minimum by-product formation and therefore a low feedstock usage.  This allows refinery operators to upgrade refinery olefinic gas streams from gasoline or fuel value to highly valued chemical intermediates.