Rhodium‐Catalyzed Reductive Hydroformylation of Polyunsaturated Vegetable Oils Assisted by Triethylamine/<i>N</i>‐methylimidazole Ligands Combination

Abstract In this work, the reductive hydroformylation of linseed and sesame oils was carried out successfully by using a rhodium catalyst precursor associated to triethylamine/ N ‐methylimidazole ligands combination. Interestingly, in the presence of triethylamine and N ‐methylimidazole at a precise ratio with respect to rhodium, the isomerization reaction can be inhibited and control experiments realized on methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate have clearly shown that no conjugated products were formed. This new catalytic system is full of interest since the yields in alcohols, after 24 h, are equal to 21% and 15% for Rh/triethylamine combination, whereas equal to 58% and 63% for Rh/triethylamine/ N ‐methylimidazole combination, for linseed and sesame oils, respectively.