| Abstract: | The kinetics of the di- and trimerization of ethylen in organic solvents under the influence of a homogeneous catalyst containing π-tetramethylcyclobutadiene-nickeldichloride and a prereacted mixture of ethylaluminiumdichloride and tri-n-butylphosphine are reported. The primary reaction product is 1-butene, which is isomerized to 2-butene (cis/trans) during the reaction. The C6-Olefins are formed by the reaction of ethylene with 1-butene and with the 2-butenes. The following primary reaction products are obtained: 3-hexene (cis/trans), 1-hexene, 2-ethyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-pentene and 3-methyl-2-pentene (cis/trans). The effect of other phosphines on the reaction was also studied. The relative composition of the reaction product is strongly dependent upon the amount and the LEWIS base strength of the phosphine present. The results are in accordance with a coordinative mechanism on nickel. |
