| abstract |
The invention relates to a method for producing alpha-olefin dimers by contacting, at a temperature greater than or equal to 80 ° C, a feedstock comprising at least one C8 + alpha-olefin (linear). with a catalyst system comprising an activator and one or more catalyst compounds represented by the formula: wherein M is a Group 4 metal; n is 1, 2 or 3; R A represents a hydrogen atom or a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group; each of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 and R 8 is independently selected from hydrogen and C 1 -C 10 alkyl; each X is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, hydrides, amides, alkoxides, sulfides, phosphides, halides, and a combination thereof (two of X may form part of a fused ring or ring system), the contacting being effected under conditions effective to oligomerize at least a portion of the C 8+ alpha-olefin to produce an oligomerized product containing at least 30% by weight of the alpha-olefin dimer and at least 80% by mole of vinylidene unsaturation, the conversion of the alpha-olefin being at least 10% by weight, based on the weight of the monomer of alpha-olefins entering the reactor and the weight of the dimer produced. |