The purpose of this study is to upgrade the catalysts for synthesizing mixed octenes using normal butene and the catalysts for synthesizing $C_9$-aldehyde through hydroformylation of mixed octenes with syngas. The in-line activation method with circulating activating solution was effective for activation of the $NiO/A1_{2}O_3$ catalyst. The reason for catalyst deactivation may be ascribed to physi-sorbed materials or oligomers which block pore entrance and then prevent active sites from participating a reaction. Continuous distillation apparatus was used for separating mixed octenes from dimerization products. When reflux ratio was above 3 : 1, mixed octene fraction of which purity was above 99.57% was obtained. In $C_9$-aldehyde synthesis through hydroformylation of mixed octenes, we investigated a performance of ligand which increased catalyst stability as well as activity of Co catalyst. The results indicated that TPPO, NMP, NDMA, and succinonitrile were suitable ligand for increasing initial activity and reducing loss of Co during catalyst recovery.