Process for the preparation of predominantly unbranched higher primary alcohols

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft, 6230 Frankfurt am Main 80 Abstract, For the preparation of predominantly unbranched higher primary alcohols, olefins from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis are reacted with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of water and rhodium, in metallic form or as a compound, and a water-soluble phosphine as catalyst. The reaction product obtained is hydrogenated. The watersoluble phosphines employed are compounds whose anion is a phosphine containing at least one sulfonated or carboxylated aromatic radical and whose cation is a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium ion.