Method for the oligomerization of alpha-olefins

Abstract

1. A method of oligomerizing straight chain alpha olefins having at least 3 carbon atoms comprising, generating in situ a soluble catalyst system by simultaneously adding with stirring to a reactor having an inert atmosphere and a temperature up to 200.degree. C., a first feed comprising a straight chain alpha-olefin monomer having at least 3 carbon atoms and a minor amount of a soluble aluminum alkyl halide and a second feed comprising a straight chain alpha-olefin monomer having at least three carbon atoms and a minor amount of a soluble organic halide; wherein said soluble aluminum alkyl halide compound is selected from the group consisting of ethyl aluminum sesqui-chloride, ethyl aluminum dichloride and diethyl aluminum chloride, and said soluble organic halide is selected from the group consisting of a primary, secondary or tertiary aliphatic halide, an allylic halide or a benzylic halide, said soluble organic halide possessing; (a) at least one halogen-bearing carbon atom in the molecule and (b) not more than one halogen atom attached to any single carbon atom in said molecule; said aluminum alkyl halide being present in said catalyst system in an amount of at least about 0.1% by weight of the total monomer content and in sufficient amount to provide a total Hal/Al ratio in said catalyst system of at least about 2.5/1.