Selectivity Control in Nickel-Catalyzed Olefin Oligomerization

Abstract

Publisher Summary The chapter explains the material concerning the control of selectivity in the nickel-catalyzed homogeneous oligomerization of olefins and related reactions. The chapter is also concerned with the problems usually encountered in olefin oligomerization and related reactions. The product of the catalytic dimerization of a single olefin, such as ethylene, is in general a mixture of dimers with lesser amounts of higher oligomers. It is frequently possible to control the selectivity of dimerization vs. oligomerization—that is, the percentage of dimers in the product. The selectivity problem is particularly important in the dimerization of two different olefins when, in addition to the required co-dimers, a mixture of the two possible homo-dimers may be produced. A particularly challenging situation in catalysis in general and in olefin oligomerization in particular is that of stereo-selectivity control, including dia-stereoselectivity and enantio-selectivity. Reactions leading to the formation of the catalytically active nickel hydride species from organonickel precursors can be regarded as model reactions for olefin oligomerization reactions. The various examples of the selectivity control such as (a) general course of olefin oligomerization and related reactions, (b) the oligomerization of ethylene, (c) olefin isomerization, (d) reactions involving 1, 5- and 1, 6-dienes, (e) the dimerization of propene, and (f) enantio-selectivity control, are discussed in this chapter.