Ethyl Corporation

Amoco Corporation

Andrew D Overstreet

Ronny W Lin

Robert H Allen

Larry H Nemec

Steven P Diefenbach

Gene C Robinson

Keith G Anderson

John N Hu

The alpha-olefin content of mixed hydrocarbon streams is selectively utilized to produce trialkylaluminum compounds in which the alkyl groups are linear primary alkyl groups. This selective utilization is accomplished by use of a specific, highly selective low residence-time, low isomerization catalytic displacement reaction. In addition, when alpha-olefins are the desired end product, a second low residence-time catalytic displacement reaction is utilized whereby high purity alpha olefins are produced.

Process for selective utilization of alpha-olefins in mixtures

Olefin is formed by displacing alkyl groups of aluminum trialkyl by contacting ethylene with the aluminum trialkyl in an ethylene:aluminum trialkyl mol ratio in the range of 2-8:1 at about 0.degree.-70.degree. C. and at atmospheric up to about 1000 psia pressure, for a reaction time of about 0.5 to about 60 minutes in the presence of a displacement enhancing amount of a nickel- or cobalt-containing displacement catalyst. Despite the fact that the displacement reaction is an equilibrium reaction, the process does not use, as did the prior art, large excesses of ethylene to shift the equilibrium to favor displacement. Consequently, the volumes of ethylene used in the processing are reduced very substantially and yet yields of the desired displaced alpha olefin remain favorable. Additionally, inasmuch as the process is conducted at relatively low temperatures and does not require high pressures, the energy requirements for the process are modest--far less, for example, than required in thermal displacement operations.

High efficiency olefin displacement process

Linear 1-olefins are continuously prepared from internal olefins by (i) continuously feeding internal olefin, isomerization catalyst and tri-lower alkyl aluminum to a reaction zone so as to cause the internal olefin to isomerize to 1-olefins which displace the lower alkyl groups to form a trialkyl aluminum compound in which at least one of the alkyl groups is a linear alkyl derived from the 1-olefin, (ii) continuously removing trialkylaluminum compound from the reaction zone and, thereafter (iii) reacting the trialkyl aluminum compound with a 1-olefin so as to displace the linear alkyl from the trialkyl aluminum compound, thereby forming a linear 1-olefin product which is substantially free of internal olefins.

Continuous process for preparing aluminum alkyls and linear 1-olefins

Linear 1-olefins are continuously prepared from internal olevins by (i) continuously feeding internal olefin, isomerization catalyst and tri-lower alkyl aluminum to a reaction zone so as to cause the internal olefin to isomerize to 1-olefins which displace the lower alkyl groups to form a trialkyl aluminum compound in which at least one of the alkyl groups is a linear alkyl derived from the 1-olefin, (ii) continuously removing trialkylaluminum compound from the reaction zone and, thereafter, (iii) reacting the trialkyl aluminum compound with a 1-olefin so as to displace the linear alkyl from the trialkyl aluminum compound, thereby forming a linear 1-olefin product which is substantially free of internal olefins.

Linear 1-olefins are prepared from internal olefins by (i) reacting them in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and a tri-lower alkyl aluminum so as to cause internal olefin to isomerize to 1-olefins which displace the lower alkyl groups to form a trialkyl aluminum compound in which at least one of the alkyl groups is a linear alkyl derived from the 1-olefin, and, thereafter, (ii) reacting the trialkyl aluminum compound with a 1-olefin so as to displace the linear alkyl from the trialkyl aluminum compound, thereby forming a linear 1-olefin product which is substantially free of internal olefins.

Aluminum alkyls and linear 1-olefins from internal olefins

Linear 1-olefins are prepared from internal olefins by (i) reacting them in the presence of an isomerization catalyst and a tri-lower alkyl aluminum so as to cause the internal olefin to isomerize to 1-olefins which displace the lower alkyl groups to form a trialkyl aluminum compound in which at least one of the alkyl groups is a linear alkyl derived from the 1-olefin, and, thereafter, (ii) reacting the trialkyl aluminum compound with a 1-olefin so as to displace the linear alkyl from the trialkyl aluminum compound, thereby forming a linear 1-olefin product which is substantially free of internal olefins.

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Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America

Andrew D Overstreet