Highly Linear-Selective Hydroformylation of 1-Alkenes using Formaldehyde as a Syngas Substitute

A highly linear‐selective hydroformylation of 1‐alkenes using formaldehyde without the direct use of syngas is described. One rhodium(I) complex catalyzes two processes in the overall hydroformylation of 1‐alkenes using formaldehyde as the syngas substitute to give hydroformylated aldehydes with excellent regioselectivities. A high regioselectivity (linear/branched=up to 98/2) and chemical yield (up to 95%) can be achieved by the simultaneous use of two types of phosphanes as ligands.