Highly selective hydroformylation of long-chain alkenes in a supercritical fluid ionic liquid biphasic systemThis paper was published as part of the themed issue of contributions from the Green Solvents – Alternative Fluids in Science and Application conference held in Berchtesgaden, October 2010.Dedicated to the memory of Dr Thulani Kunene who died tragically. A fine scientist and a good man. An obituary is provided as a supplementary file.

Continuous-flow rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of long chain alkenes has been achieved with selectivities to the desired linear aldehyde of 92% and minimum rhodium loss, using a xantphos-derived ligand attached to an imidazolium salt in a supercritical fluid–ionic liquid system. The effect of oxygen in the system can be ameliorated to some extent by adding a simple sulfonated triphenylphosphine to the catalytic solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]