| Abstract: | The catalytic properties of MCl2 (PPh3)2 (M = Fe, A; Co, B; Ni, C) in combination with ethylaluminoxane (EAO) as cocatalyst for ethylene oligomerization have been investigated. Treatment of the MCl2 (PPh3)2 complexes with EAO in toluene generated active catalysts in situ that are capable of oligomerizating ethylene to low‐carbon olefins. The catalytic activity and product distribution were affected by reaction condition, such as reaction temperature, the ratios of Al/M and the reaction time. The activity of 1.70 × 105 g oligomers/ (mol Co. h) for the catalytic system of CoCl2(PPh3)2 with EAO at 200°C was observed, with the selectivity of 91.1% to C4–10 olefins and 70.7% to C4–10 linear α‐olefins. |
