US Patent 7265240 Process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds

A process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds is described. The process comprises reacting an ethylenically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a source of hydroxyl groups and a catalyst system. The catalyst system is obtained by combining: (a) metal of Group VIII or a compound thereof; and (b) a bidentate phosphine of general formula (I) The carbonylation reaction is carried out at a temperature of between −30° C. to 49° C. and under a CO partial pressure of less than 30×105 N.m−2