Synthesis of cyclic acetals by hydroformylation of oct-1-ene in the presence of polyols

Rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of oct-1-ene in acid medium in the presence of polyols gives acetals of the initially formed aldehydes. The use of water-soluble trisodium salt of tris(sulfonatophenyl)phosphine as a ligand favors easy separation of the reaction products and enables repeated use of the catalytic system. A minor additive (2 wt.%) of the obtained acetal mixture improves the lubricating properties of diesel fuel by 30% and markedly reduces gum formation during combustion.