Dimer selective metallocene catalysts, non-aromatic hydrocarbon soluble activators, and processes to produce poly alpha-olefin oligmers therewith

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to process to produce a poly alpha-olefin (PAO), comprising: a) introducing a first alpha-olefin to a first catalyst system comprising non-aromatic hydrocarbon soluble activator and a metallocene compound into a continuous stirred tank reactor or a continuous tubular reactor under first reactor conditions, wherein the first alpha-olefin is preferably introduced to the reactor at a flow rate of about 100 g/hr or more, to form a first reactor effluent comprising PAO (such as at least 60 wt % of PAO dimer and 40 wt % or less of higher oligomers, where the higher oligomers are oligomers that have a degree of polymerization of 3 or more); and b) introducing the first reactor effluent and a second alpha-olefin to a second catalyst composition comprising an acid catalyst, such as BF, in a second reactor to form a second reactor effluent comprising PAO trimer.