Chemistry
The Chemistry of Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydroformylation in Industrial Processes
Quick fact
Cobalt-catalyzed hydroformylation, developed by Otto Roelen in 1938, operates at 100–200°C and 100–300 atm of syngas pressure, producing aldehydes that are converted into detergents, plasticizers, and other industrial chemicals.
Why this is interesting
Every year, millions of tons of aldehydes are made by adding carbon monoxide and hydrogen to alkenes—but the real star is a humble cobalt atom. How does a simple metal carbonyl turn cheap gases into valuable chemicals?