Olefins having at least 6 carbon atoms are bydroformylated in the presence
of a homogenous catalyst in a continuous process in which a) a vertical
tall cylindrical reactor (1) whose interior space is divided by means of
internals (2). into at least two reaction chambers which extend
essentially in the longitudinal direction of the reactor is used, b) at
least one olefin is introduced into the reactor together with synthesis
gas at the lower end of the first reaction chamber, c) a partially
reacted reaction mixture is conveyed from the upper end of a reaction
chamber to the lower end of a next reaction chamber; and d) the
hydroformylated olefin is taken off at the upper end of the last reaction
chamber. The process allows a high conversion at a given reactor volume.