A process for producing branched alcohols through isomerization, hydroformylation and hydrogenation.

A process for producing branched alcohols through isomerization, hydroformylation and hydrogenation.

Implementations described herein generally relate to methods for purifying alpha-olefins. The alpha-olefins may be used to form drag reducing agents for improving flow of hydrocarbons through conduits, particularly pipelines. In one implementation, a method of increasing alpha-olefin content is provided. The method includes providing an olefin feedstock composition having an alpha-mono-olefin and at least one of a diolefin having an equal number of carbon atoms to the alpha-mono-olefin and/or a triolefin having an equal number of carbon atoms to the alpha-mono-olefin. The method further includes contacting the olefin feedstock composition with ethylene in the presence of a catalyst composition including an olefin metathesis catalyst. The method further includes reacting the olefin feedstock composition and ethylene at metathesis reaction conditions to produce an alpha-olefin product comprising the alpha-mono-olefin and alpha-olefins having fewer carbon atoms than the alpha-mono-olefin.

Implementations described herein generally relate to methods for purifying alpha-olefins. The alpha-olefins may be used to form drag reducing agents for improving flow of hydrocarbons through conduits, particularly pipelines. In one implementation, a method of increasing alpha-olefin content is provided. The method includes providing an olefin feedstock composition having an alpha-mono-olefin and at least one of a diolefin having an equal number of carbon atoms to the alpha-mono-olefin and/or a triolefin having an equal number of carbon atoms to the alpha-mono-olefin. The method further includes contacting the olefin feedstock composition with ethylene in the presence of a catalyst composition including an olefin metathesis catalyst. The method further includes reacting the olefin feedstock composition and ethylene at metathesis reaction conditions to produce an alpha-olefin product comprising the alpha-mono-olefin and alpha-olefins having fewer carbon atoms than the alpha-mono-olefin.

A process for producing isomerized olefins, branched aldehydes and branched alcohols through isomerization, hydroformylation and hydrogenation.

A process for producing isomerized olefins, branched aldehydes and branched alcohols through isomerization, hydroformylation and hydrogenation.

Implementations described herein generally relate to methods for purifying alpha-olefins. The alpha-olefins may be used to form drag reducing agents for improving flow of hydrocarbons through conduits, particularly pipelines. In one implementation, a method of increasing alpha-olefin content is provided. The method includes providing an olefin feedstock composition having an alpha-mono-olefin and at least one of a diolefin having an equal number of carbon atoms to the alpha-mono-olefin and/or a triolefin having an equal number of carbon atoms to the alpha-mono-olefin. The method further includes contacting the olefin feedstock composition with ethylene in the presence of a catalyst composition including an olefin metathesis catalyst. The method further includes reacting the olefin feedstock composition and ethylene at metathesis reaction conditions to produce an alpha-olefin product comprising the alpha-mono-olefin and alpha-olefins having fewer carbon atoms than the alpha-mono-olefin.

A process for producing isomerized olefins, branched aldehydes and branched alcohols through isomerization, hydroformylation and hydrogenation.

A process for producing isomerized olefins, branched aldehydes and branched alcohols through isomerization, hydroformylation and hydrogenation.

The invention provides novel catalysts and methods of using catalysts for controlling the position of a double bond and cis/trans-selectivity in isomerization of terminal alkenes to their 2-isomers. Catalysts such as (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)Ru formulas 1 and 3 having a bifunctional phosphine can be used in the methods. A catalyst loading of 1 mol % of formulas 1+3 can be employed for the production of (E)-2-alkenes at 40-70 C.; lower temperatures can be used with higher catalyst loading. Acetonitrile-free catalysts can be used at lower loadings, room temperature, and in less than a day to accomplish the same results as catalysts 1+3. The novel catalyst systems minimize thermodynamic equilibration of alkene isomers, so that the trans-2-alkenes of both non-functionalized and functionalized alkenes can be generated.