Disclosed are processes for the preparation of glycolaldehyde in which
formaldehyde is contacted with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the
presence of a rhodium catalyst and a solvent containing at least one
N,N-dihexylbutyramide. The glycolaldehyde product is recovered by
extraction with water. The process provides high selectivity to
glycolaldehyde and efficient separation of hydroformylation products from
the solvent and rhodium catalyst.