The structure of the formylation (OXO) products obtained from olefines and watergas

A number of pure olefines with up to 8 C atoms was subjected to formylation, a process by which CO and H2 are added to the olefine followed by hydrogenation of the aldehydes obtained to the corresponding alcohols. The structure of the alcohols was determined by converting them by careful dehydration and hydrogenation into the corresponding paraffins. The paraffins were analysed by analytical rectification and determination of physical constants. From the results a number of rules are derived, which make it possible to predict the structure of the alcohols to be obtained from a given olefine. The formylation reaction presents in many cases a convenient way of synthesizing new alcohols and hydrocarbons, some of which are described.