Coupling Rhodium-Catalyzed Hydroformylation of 10-Undecenitrile with Organic Solvent Nanofiltration: Toluene Solution versus Solvent-Free Processes.

Intensification of the rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation process to produce 12-oxo-dodecanenitrile from biosourced 10-undecenitrile was performed by coupling the reaction with organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) for the recycling of the expensive Rh catalyst and the ligands. Four phosphorus-based ligands were compared with respect to their catalytic performance and rejection in OSN. Biphephos showed the best compromise and up to 3 reaction-OSN cycles were performed in toluene.