Neorius | Advanced Refining and Chemical Technologies

Olefin Hydroformylation Platform Technology

To address the challenge of high-value utilization of olefins, this technology integrates innovations in catalytic systems and process engineering. By combining hydroformylation, selective hydrogenation, mild oxidation, continuous esterification, reductive amination, and aldol condensation, olefin feedstocks are efficiently converted into high-value oxygenated chemicals such as alcohols, acids, esters, and amines. This forms a green and efficient olefin hydroformylation platform technology.

This platform not only enables the high-value conversion of α-olefins but also achieves the targeted transformation of structurally complex olefins such as internal olefins and highly branched olefins into valuable chemical products. It supports industrial structure optimization, value chain extension, and green low-carbon transformation, promoting the chemical industry’s advancement toward efficiency and sustainability.

Key Features & Benefits

High Reaction Efficiency under Mild Conditions

The core hydroformylation process employs rhodium with novel phosphine ligands as catalysts, characterized by low rhodium loading, mild operating conditions (reaction pressure ≤ 2 MPa, reaction temperature ≤ 95°C), high conversion rate (≥ 95%), and excellent selectivity (≥ 97%).

Broad Feedstock Flexibility and Strong Applicability

By tuning the catalytic system and process conditions, a wide range of olefins—including α-olefins, internal olefins, and branched olefins derived from petroleum refining and coal chemical production—can serve as feedstocks for synthesizing high-value oxygenated or nitrogen-containing chemicals.

Wide Product Range with High Added Value

The resulting products include oxygenated (or nitrogen-containing) organic compounds such as alcohols, acids, esters, and amines, which can be further converted into plasticizers, detergents, refrigeration oils, flavors and fragrances, resins, water-based coatings, dyes, and pharmaceutical intermediates. These products are closely aligned with end-user markets, offering broad product coverage and high added value.

Products Applications

Olefin Hydroformylation Platform Technology enables the targeted and efficient conversion and utilization of olefins across the entire industrial chain, producing oxygen- (nitrogen-) containing chemicals such as organic alcohols, acids, esters, and amines, which have high added value. The following are the application directions for various products.

Isooctanoic Acid

Based on propylene hydroformylation, condensation, and efficient mild oxidation technologies, n-butyraldehyde is converted into high-value-added isooctanoic acid. The process enables flexible switching between isooctanol and isooctanoic acid production.

Advantages

Rhodium catalyst consumption reduced by over 50%

Normal-to-iso product ratio > 25

Propylene conversion > 99 wt%, butyraldehyde yield > 98%

Applications: Used in ink thickeners, coating driers, pharmaceutical salts, and cold-resistant plasticizers.

Neopentyl Glycol (NPG)

Using selective isobutyraldehyde production, coupled hydrogenation, and condensation technologies, isobutyraldehyde is transformed into high-value NPG.

Advantages

Isobutyraldehyde yield is 3–5 times higher than in conventional butanol/2-EH units

Rhodium catalyst consumption reduced by over 50%

Applications: Used in polyester resins for powder coatings, plasticizers for foams and elastomers, surfactants, insulating materials, printing inks, polymerization inhibitors, and synthetic aviation lubricants.

n-Propyl Alcohol

Applications:

n-Propyl Acetate

An important organic solvent used in coatings, inks, color printing, tobacco packaging, fragrances, and resins.

Pharmaceutical Intermediate

Used in the synthesis of drugs such as probenecid, sodium valproate, erythromycin, etc.

Agrochemical Intermediate

ntermediate for herbicides.

Solvent

For paints, inks, cosmetics, and feed additives.

n-Propionic Acid

Downstream products include propionates (e.g., sodium propionate, calcium propionate), propionate esters (e.g., methyl and ethyl propionate), and derivatives like propionic anhydride and propionyl chloride.

Applications: Used as a preservative in the food industry, in pharmaceuticals, agricultural disease control, and as a chemical intermediate. Also a key raw material for ibuprofen.

2-Propylheptanol (2-PH)

Applications: Environmentally friendly plasticizer DPHP, derived from 2-PH, is widely used in PVC films, synthetic leather, footwear, cables, and is a promising replacement for commonly used plasticizers such as dioctyl phthalate (DOP).

The transformation of olefins into high-value chemicals represents a major development trend in the olefin industry. This trend not only enhances the economic efficiency of the petrochemical value chain but also drives synergistic growth in strategic emerging industries such as advanced materials, new energy, and biopharmaceuticals. It aligns with the global shift toward green chemistry and a circular economy.