Structurally uniform 1-hexene, 1-octene, and 1-decene oligomers: Zirconocene/MAO-catalyzed preparation, characterization, and prospects of their use as low-viscosity low-temperature oil base stocks

• Published in: Applied catalysis. A, General General, 2018-01, Vol.549, p.40-50
• Main Authors: Nifant’ev, Ilya E., Vinogradov, Alexander A., Vinogradov, Alexey A., Sedov, Igor V., Dorokhov, Viktor G., Lyadov, Anton S., Ivchenko, Pavel V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkanes; Alkenes; Catalysts; Hydrocarbons; Low temperature; Octenes; Oil base stocks; Oligomerization; Oligomers; Temperature; Thermal stability; Trimers; Viscosity; Zirconocenes; α-Olefins
• ISSN: 0926-860X; 1873-3875
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcata.2017.09.016

[Display omitted] •Heterocene activated by 10 eq. of MAO is effective in α-olefin oligomerization.•Up to 90% isolated yields of lightweight α-olefin oligomer fractions were achieved.•Unsaturated and saturated α-olefin oligomers were isolated as individual compounds.•Hydrogenated 1-octene and 1-decene oligomers outperformed conventional PAOs. An original approach to α-olefin oligomerization as well as novel thermally stable zirconocene catalysts for use in such reactions has been elaborated. The method reported allows the achievement of fractions of lightweight α-olefin oligomers up to 90% yields without considerable formation of byproducts like internal alkenes, alkanes, and higher oligomers. Trimers, tetramers, and pentamers of 1-hexene, 1-octene, and 1-decene were isolated as individual compounds and were hydrogenated. Viscosity characteristics of the isolated saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons have been studied at various temperatures. The isolated saturated oligomers of 1-octene and 1-decene outperform the traditional electrophilic oligomerization products in terms of viscosity indexes, pour points, and low-temperature viscosity.