Abstract
Coordination catalysis is a highly efficient alternative to more traditional acid catalysis in the oligomerization of α-olefins. The distinct advantage of transition metal-based catalysts is the structural homogeneity of the oligomers. Given the great diversity of the catalysts and option of varying the reaction conditions, a wide spectrum of processes can be implemented. In recent years, both methylenealkanes (vinylidene dimers of α-olefins) and structurally uniform oligomers with the desired degrees of polymerization have become available for later use in the synthesis of amphiphilic organic compounds and polymers, high-quality oils or lubricants, and other prospective materials. In the present review, we discussed the selective dimerization and oligomerization of α-olefins, catalyzed by metallocene and post-metallocene complexes, and explored the prospects for the further applications of the coordination α-olefin dimers and oligomers.
Highlights
The achievement of the best characteristics of chemical product by the use of efficient knowledge-intensive technologies is the most productive avenue for achieving real development goals in the modern chemical industry
In order to conclude this section on metallocene-catalyzed oligomerization at high AlMAO /Zr ratios, it is important to note the publication of Jiang et al [101], which was a thorough study of the microstructure of 1-butene/1-dodecene copolymers, obtained in the presence of (η5 -C5 Me4 H)2 ZrCl2, activated by 100–500 eq of MAO
The comparison of the viscosity characteristics of 1-decene trimers obtained by the zirconocene-catalyzed reaction and a metallacyclic process (Cr catalysts 79, 80, 82) suggests that metallocene catalysis is preferable for the production of PAO oil base stocks
Summary
The achievement of the best characteristics of chemical product by the use of efficient knowledge-intensive technologies is the most productive avenue for achieving real development goals in the modern chemical industry. MW polyolefins (Scheme 1b) as drag reducing agents [8,9], were actual topics of the applied research It was the Group 4 oil industry that led to the growing interest in the oligomerization of higher α-olefins in the mid-20th century [10,11]. The conventional technologies of acid-catalyzed oligomerization with the use of BF3 /ROH or Al chloride catalysts remains relevant for the production of the lower oligomers of α-olefins [12,13]. The reviews of Janiak [33,34] and Belov [35] were focused on the coordination oligomerization of α-olefins, but these works, published more than 10 years ago, are objectively outdated.
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