Saudi Basic Industries Corporation

Mohammad Akhtar Zahoor

Atieh Abu-Raqabah

Vugar O Aliyev

Mian Rahat Saeed

Fahad A Al-Sherehy

Olagoke Olabisi

Mohammed M Abdillahi

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of linear low molecular weight alpha-olefins having 4 to 24 carbon atoms, comprising oligomerizing ethylene in an inert solvent in the presence of a catalyst system comprising: (i) zirconium carboxylate of the formula (RCOO)ZrCl, wherein Ris saturated or unsaturated aliphatic C-Chydrocarbon or aromatic C-Chydrocarbon and m fulfills 1&#x2266;m&#x2266;4, (ii) at least one aluminum compound selected from organoaluminum compounds of the formula RAlX, wherein Ris C-Calkyl, X is chlorine, bromine or iodine, and n fulfills 1&#x2266;n&#x2266;2, and/or aluminoxanes, and (iii) at least two different additives selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, esters, ketones, ethers, amines, anhydrides, phosphines and sulfur compounds; as well as to a catalyst used therein.

Process for the preparation of linear alpha-olefins and catalyst used therein

A catalyst and a process are provided for oligomerizing ethylene. A heterogeneous catalyst system comprises: (1) a chelating ligand, preferably 2-diphenyl phosphino benzoic acid (DPPBA); (2) a nickel precursor, preferably nickel chloride hexahydrate (NiCl,.6H,O); (3) a catalyst activator, preferably sodium tetraphenylborate (NaBPh,); and (4) silica. A 1:1:1 molar ratio of Ni:DPPBA:BPh,catalyst components are fixed on a silica support using low-temperature fixation. The catalyst components are dispersed in a diluent, preferably ethanol, and silica is added. The ethanol is evaporated using freeze-drying equipment to form a silica-supported catalyst system. The silica-supported catalyst is slurried in ethanol in a reactor, and ethylene is added. The reactor pressure and temperature are maintained at about 725 psig and 100&deg; C., respectively, for about two hours. The oligomer product formed has a narrower weight percent distribution, typically having about 96 weight percent C,'s to C,'s, compared to product formed using a homogeneous catalyst system.

Catalyst and process for ethylene oligomerization

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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Mohammad Akhtar Zahoor