Oligomerization and co-oligomerization of α-olefins catalyzed by nickel(II)/alkylaluminum systems

This work describes α-olefins oligomerization/co-oligomerization of 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene to linear oligomers (C₈---C₁₆ range) promoted by catalytic systems based on nickel(II) salts/alkylaluminum compounds. Conversion, selectivity (isomerization or oligomerization) and linearity are determined by mass distribution calculation of the substrates (α-olefins) in the products. The best results are obtained with Ni(acac)₂/AlEt₂OEt working at 60°C, Al/Ni ratio between 0.8–1.4 and using toluene as a solvent. Under these conditions, the conversion is higher than 90% giving 40% of oligomerization selectivity. The linearity varies from 65% (C₁₆ fraction) to 98% (C₈ fraction).