Definition of oxo process
1
: a process for synthesizing aldehydes (as propionaldehyde) by the addition of carbon monoxide and hydrogen under pressure to olefins (as ethylene) in the presence of a usually cobalt catalyst — compare hydroformylation
2
: a process for synthesizing alcohols (as isooctyl alcohol) usually by producing aldehydes from olefins and hydrogenating the aldehydes to alcohols — compare oxyl process
