Metal complexes in catalytic conversion of olefins. 3. Catalytic dimerization of ethylene and propylene by Ni(PPh3)n-Et3Al2Cl3 System

Abstract

The Ni(PPh3)n-Et3Al2Al3 catalytic system was found to be most effective for the dimerization of ethylene and propylene when the ligands Bu3PO and (BuO)2-PNEt2 were used in the Ni complex. For propylene dimerization in the liquid phase, the yield was 54 kmole/mole Ni-h at 40–55‡C. Using mathematical planning methods for the experiments the optimum conditions range for the formation of hexanes was found, in which selectivity for dimerization reached 85–96% at 80–90% conversion.