Production of olefin dimers

Abstract

A process for producing alpha-olefin dimers comprises contacting, at a temperature of 80° C. or more, a feedstock comprising at least one C(linear) alpha-olefin with a catalyst system comprising activator and one or more catalyst compounds represented by the formula: where M is a Group 4 metal; n is 1, 2, or 3; Ris hydrogen or a Cto Calkyl; each of R, R, R, R, R, R, R, and Ris independently selected from hydrogen and Cto Calkyl; each X is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl radicals having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, hydrides, amides, alkoxides, sulfides, phosphides, halides, and a combination thereof, (two X's may form a part of a fused ring or a ring system), the contacting being conducted under conditions effective to oligomerize at least part of Calpha-olefin to produce an oligomerized product containing at least 30 wt % of the alpha-olefin dimer and at least 80 mol % of vinylidene unsaturation, where the conversion of the alpha olefin is at least 10 wt %, based upon the weight of the alpha olefin monomer entering the reactor and the weight of dimer produced.