This invention is directed to a poly alpha olefin (PAO) composition formed in a first oligomerization, wherein at least portions of the PAO have properties that make them highly desirable for a subsequent oligomerization. A preferred process for producing this PAO uses a single site catalyst at high temperatures without adding hydrogen to produce a low viscosity PAO with excellent Noack volatility at high conversion rates. This PAO comprises a dimer product with at least 25 wt % tri-substituted vinylene olefins wherein said dimer product is highly desirable as a feedstock for a subsequent oligomerization. This PAO also comprises trimer and optionally higher oligomer products with outstanding properties that make these products useful as lubricant basestocks following hydrogenation.

The present invention refers to novel ruthenium- and osmium-based catalysts for olefin metathesis reactions, particularly to catalysts having stereoselective properties. Z-selectivity is obtained by utilizing two mono-anionic ligands of very different steric requirement. In olefin metathesis reactions these catalysts selectively provide the Z-isomer of disubstituted olefinic products even in presence of air or of acids.

The present invention refers to novel ruthenium- and osmium-based catalysts for olefin metathesis reactions, particularly to catalysts having stereoselective properties. Z-selectivity is obtained by utilizing two mono-anionic ligands of very different steric requirement. In olefin metathesis reactions these catalysts selectively provide the Z-isomer of disubstituted olefinic products even in presence of air or of acids.

A process to make an isoalkane alkylate base oil, comprising: a. oligomerizing an olefin feed having a carbon number from 3 to 6 using a metallocene catalyst to make an unsaturated olefin oligomer; and b. alkylating an isoalkane feed with the unsaturated olefin oligomer in the presence of an acidic alkylation catalyst, and without any addition of hydrogen, to make an alkylate product comprising the isoalkane alkylate base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. greater than 10 mm.sup.2/s, a VI higher than 80, and a bromine index less than 1000 mg Br/100 g.

A process to make an isoalkane alkylate base oil, comprising: a. oligomerizing an olefin feed having a carbon number from 3 to 6 using a metallocene catalyst to make an unsaturated olefin oligomer; and b. alkylating an isoalkane feed with the unsaturated olefin oligomer in the presence of an acidic alkylation catalyst, and without any addition of hydrogen, to make an alkylate product comprising the isoalkane alkylate base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. greater than 10 mm.sup.2/s, a VI higher than 80, and a bromine index less than 1000 mg Br/100 g.

Catalyst compositions and processes for the oligomerization of ethylene to 1-hexene are described. The catalyst composition includes a triamino bisphospino (NPNPN) ligand system with specific phosphorous and nitrogen ligands. The terminal nitrogen atoms include linear alkyl hydrocarbons that differ in the number of carbon atoms by 3.

Catalyst compositions and processes for the oligomerization of ethylene to 1-hexene are described. The catalyst composition includes a triamino bisphospino (NPNPN) ligand system with specific phosphorous and nitrogen ligands. The terminal nitrogen atoms include linear alkyl hydrocarbons that differ in the number of carbon atoms by 3.

The present disclosure generally relates to processes to produce alpha-olefin oligomers and poly alpha-olefins. In an embodiment, a process to produce a poly alpha-olefin (PAO) includes introducing a first alpha-olefin and a first catalyst system comprising a metallocene compound into a continuous stirred tank reactor or a continuous tubular reactor under first reactor conditions to form a first reactor effluent. The alpha-olefin is introduced to the reactor at a flow rate of about 100 g/hr or more. The first reactor effluent includes PAO dimer comprising at least 96 mol % of vinylidene and 4 mol % or less of trisubstituted vinylene and disubstituted vinylene, based on total moles of vinylidene, trisubstituted vinylene, and disubstituted vinylene. The method includes introducing the first reactor effluent, a second alpha-olefin and a second catalyst composition comprising an acid catalyst into a second reactor under second reactor conditions to form a second reactor effluent comprising PAO trimer.

The present disclosure generally relates to processes to produce alpha-olefin oligomers and poly alpha-olefins. In an embodiment, a process to produce a poly alpha-olefin (PAO) includes introducing a first alpha-olefin and a first catalyst system comprising a metallocene compound into a continuous stirred tank reactor or a continuous tubular reactor under first reactor conditions to form a first reactor effluent. The alpha-olefin is introduced to the reactor at a flow rate of about 100 g/hr or more. The first reactor effluent includes PAO dimer comprising at least 96 mol % of vinylidene and 4 mol % or less of trisubstituted vinylene and disubstituted vinylene, based on total moles of vinylidene, trisubstituted vinylene, and disubstituted vinylene. The method includes introducing the first reactor effluent, a second alpha-olefin and a second catalyst composition comprising an acid catalyst into a second reactor under second reactor conditions to form a second reactor effluent comprising PAO trimer.

Disclosed herein are compositions containing branched C.sub.20 2-substituted alpha olefins and processes for making the compositions by dimerization reaction of a C.sub.10 olefin composition.