The kinetics of RhCl(CO)(TPPTS)(2)/TPPTS catalyzed hydroformylation of propylene was studied by an orthogonal experimental design. The hydroformylation reaction was carried out batchwise in a 500 ml stirred autoclave. The effects of temperature, total pressure, molar ratio of hydrogen/carbon monoxide, partial pressure of propylene, molar ratio of rhodium/TPPTS and concentration of rhodium catalyst on the initial rate of reaction were determined by margin arid variance analysis. Several empirical rate equations were proposed to represent the experimental data. The kinetic parameters were evaluated and the activation energy was found in the range of 75 similar to 85 kJ/mol. The regioselectivity of hydroformylation was also determined and the molar ratio of normal/isomeric aldehyde varied from 3.9 to 56.1. 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. (C) All rights reserved.