| abstract |
The invention is a method and catalyst for selectively and efficiently producing short chain linear α-olefins. The method includes contacting olefinic monomers under oligomerization conditions with the catalyst composition which comprises a composition prepared in situ by reacting a nickel compound selected from the group consisting of halides, hydrides, triflates, acetates, borates, C1, through Cl2 alkyl, C1 through Cl2 alkoxy, C3 through Cl2 cycloalkyl, C3 through Cl2 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolates, carbon monoxide, cyanate, olefins including diolefins and cycloolefins, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert and mixtures thereof, with an amine ligand wherein said ligand is a nitrogen-containing ligand having one or more nitrogen atoms. The method also includes contacting olefinic monomers under oligomerization conditions with the catalyst composition wherein said catalyst has the formula LNi(X')(X)n, wherein n equals O or 1; X and X' are independently selected from the group consisting of halides, hydride, triflate, acetates, borates, Cl through Cl2 alkyl, Cl through Cl2 alkoxy, C3 through Cl2 cycloalkyl, C3 through Cl2 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolates, carbon monoxide, cyanate, olefins, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert; M is selected from the group consisting of nickel, palladium, and platinum and L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand with more than two nitrogen atoms. |