Abstract: Structures of 1-phenyldibenzophosphole disulfonate(denoted as PDBPDS) and triphenylphosphorus trisulfonate(denoted as TPPTS) were optimized by using quantum chemical AM1 method. Both stereo and electronic structure show that PDBPDSacts as a better ligand than TPPTSin the Rh/Pcatalyst system of hydroformylation. The performance of the novel ligand PDBPDS in water soluble Rh complex, HRh(CO)(PDBPDS)₃, was conducted in biphasic hydroformylation of propylene. The influences of reaction parameters such as reaction temperature, n (PDBPDS)/ n (Rh) and agitating speed on catalytic properties were investigated. The result shows that under the condition of 2.0 MPa, 100 ℃, n (PDBPDS) / n (Rh)=35, agitating speed 500 r/min and V (H₂)/ V (Co)=1/1, TONis 2800 g(butyraldehyde)/ and the n (normal)/ n (iso) reaches 12.3, concentration of Rh in the organic phase is only 3.6×10^-8 mol/L. Compared with the performance of TPPTSunder the same condition, both activity and selectivity are remarkably improved. Further, the catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction system.

Key words: PDBPDS, Water soluble phosphorus rhodium complex, Hydroformylation, Biphasic catalytic system