Formlylation and Hydroformylation

Formylation functionalizes an organic compound with a formyl (aldeyde) group. Hydroformylation produces aldehydes from alkenes. The formylation of the amino acids in proteins in a natuarlly-occuring process. The hydroformylation of some aldehydes is an industrial process used to manufacture specialty chemicals. Hydroformylation and formylation processes involve Duff, Gattermann-Koch or Vilsmeier-Haack reactions. In Duff reactions, the formylation of phenols or aromatic amines with hexamethylenetetramine uses an acidic catalyst. Gattermann-Koch reactions are catalyzed by using aluminum chloride at high pressure in order to achieve the formylation of benzene, alkylbenzenes or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride. Vilsmeier-Haack reactions substitute amide with phosphorous oxychloride and an activated arene to produce an aryl aldehyde or ketone.