Abstract: Thermoregulated ligand Ph₂P(CH₂CH₂O)₁₆CH₃-stabilized rhodium nanoparticles were investigated as the catalyst in the hydroformylation of higher olefins by thermoregulated phase-transfer catalysis in an aqueous/1-butanol biphasic system. Under optimized reaction conditions, the conversion of 1-octene and yield of aldehyde were 98% and 96%, respectively. The catalyst can be easily separated from the product by phase separation and was used for three times without evident loss in activity.

Key words: hydroformylation, rhodium nanoparticle, higher olefin, thermoregulated ligand, aqueous/1-butanol biphasic system