Ethylene tetramerization: a new route to produce 1-octene in exceptionally high selectivities.
Linear alpha-olefins, such as 1-hexene and 1-octene, are important comonomers in the production of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). The conventional method of producing 1-hexene and 1-octene is by oligomerization of ethylene, which yields a wide spectrum of linear alpha-olefins (LAOs). While there exists several processes for producing 1-hexene via ethylene trimerization, a similar route for the selective production of 1-octene has so far been elusive. We now, for the first time, report an unprecedented ethylene tetramerization reaction that produces 1-octene in selectivities exceeding 70%, using an aluminoxane-activated chromium/((R2)2P)2NR1 catalyst system.
Bollmann
Annette
A
R & D Division, Sasol Technology (Pty) Ltd., 1 Klasie Havenga Road, Sasolburg 1947, South Africa.
Blann
Kevin
K
Dixon
John T
JT
Hess
Fiona M
FM
Killian
Esna
E
Maumela
Hulisani
H
McGuinness
David S
DS
Morgan
David H
DH
Neveling
Arno
A
Otto
Stefanus
S
Overett
Matthew
M
Slawin
Alexandra M Z
AM
Wasserscheid
Peter
P
Kuhlmann
Sven
S