Mechanistic kinetic modeling of the rhodium-catalyzed tandem hydroaminomethylation of 1-decene in a thermomorphic solvent system

For a more resource-efficient production of amines the homogeneously catalyzed tandem hydroaminomethylation reaction is of large relevance. The kinetics of the sulfoxantphos‑rhodium-catalyzed hydroaminomethylation of 1-decene were studied exploiting a thermomorphic solvent system. Focus was a mechanistic kinetic description of the enamine hydrogenation as the final step in the tandem reaction. Based on proposing a catalytic cycle and applying the Christiansen mathematics, a mechanistic rate model was derived and parameterized. The mechanistic model was able to describe the experimental observations in a broad range of operation conditions including pressure and temperature perturbations providing the basis for process design and optimization.