| abstract |
A novel bidentate ligand of general formula (I) is described together with a process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds. The group X 1 may be defined as a univalent hydrocarbyl radical of up to 30 atoms containing at least one nitrogen atom having a pKb in dilute aqueous solution at 18°C of between 4 and 14 wherein the said at least one nitrogen atom is separated from the Q 2 atom by between 1 and 3 carbon atoms. The group X 2 is defined as X 1 , X 3 or X 4 or represents a univalent radical of up to 30 atoms having at least one primary, secondary or aromatic ring carbon atom wherein each said univalent radical is joined via said at least one primary, secondary or aromatic ring carbon atom(s) respectively to the respective atom Q 2 . Q 1 and Q 2 each independently represent phosphorus, arsenic or antimony. |