PURPOSE: To produce aldehyde and/or alcohol at a high yield by effecting hydroformylation reaction of an α-olefin in a gaseous phase by using a specifically composed catalyst essentially consisting of inexpensive nickel.
CONSTITUTION: The catalyst expressed by the formula NixMyMz' (M denote at least one kind among Zn, Ti, Mn, V, Nb and Ta, M' denotes an alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal) is prepd. by a co-precipitation method, kneading method, impregnation method, etc. The preferable compsn. ratios of the respective components are such that y is 0.1W10 and z is 0.01W1 while x is 1. Such catalyst is used and the α-olefin is hydroformylated in the gaseous phase by using a synthesis gas composed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, etc., by which the oxygen contg. compd. such as aldehyde or alcohol is produced at a high yield.
UCHIYAMA TSUTOMU