Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.

Troy J Campione

David A Young

Larry O Jones

C.sub.3 and higher olefins are oligomerized using a two component catalyst system comprising (a) a soluble adduct of zirconium tetrahalide, the halogen being Br or Cl, with an organic compound selected from the group of esters, ketones, ethers, amines, nitriles, anhydrides, acid chlorides, amides or aldehydes, the organic compound having up to about 30 carbon atoms and (b) an alkyl metal selected from the group R.sub.2 AlX, RAlX.sub.2, R.sub.3 Al.sub.2 X.sub.3, R.sub.3 Al and R.sub.2 Zn where R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl and X is Cl or Br. ZrCl.sub.4 adducts with organic acetates are the preferred embodiments. Dimers, trimers and tetramers are selectively prepared in the process.

Process for oligomerizing C.sub.3 and higher olefins using zirconium

Linear alpha-olefins are prepared by the oligomerization of ethylene using a two component catalyst system comprising (a) a soluble adduct of zirconium tetrahalide, the halogen being Br or Cl, with an organic compound selected from the group of esters, ketones, ethers, amines, nitriles, anhydrides, acid chlorides, amides or aldehydes, the organic compound having up to about 30 carbon atoms and (b) an alkyl metal selected from the group R.sub.2 AlX. RAlX.sub.2, R.sub.3 Al.sub.2 X.sub.3, R.sub.3 Al and R.sub.2 Zn where R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl and X is Cl or Br. ZrCl.sub.4 adducts with organic acetates are the preferred embodiments.

Process for preparing linear alpha-olefins using zirconium adducts as

Linear alpha-olefins are prepared by the oligomerization of ethylene using a two component catalyst system comprising (a) a soluble adduct of zirconium tetrahalide, the halogen being Br or Cl, with an organic compound selected from the group of esters, ketones, ethers, amines, nitriles, anhydrides, acid chlorides, amides or aldehydes, the organic compound having up to about 30 carbon atoms and (b) an alkyl metal selected from the group R.sub.2 AlX. RalX.sub.2, R.sub.3 Al.sub.2 X.sub.3, R.sub.3 Al and R.sub.2 Zn where R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl and X is Cl or Br. ZrCl.sub.4 adducts with organic acetates are the preferred embodiments.

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Troy J Campione