| abstract |
A catalyst system, which contains a) a source of a Group VIII metal, and b) a phosphine of general formula: <IMAGE> (I) in which R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from an optionally substituted aryl group and a group of general formula: <IMAGE> (II) wherein each of A, X, Y and Z is independently selected from a nitrogen atom, a CH group and a group of formula CR wherein R represents a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an amido group, a cyano group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyloxy group, it also being possible for two adjacent CR groups to form a ring, provided that at least one of R1, R2 and R3 represents a group of formula (II) in which at least one of A and Z represents a group of formula CR; or an acid addition salt thereof. Also disclosed is the use of the catalyst system in the selective carbonylation of unsaturated hydrocarbons. |