The present disclosure relates to a process for producing linear alpha olefins in high yield carried out by oligomerization of ethylene in the presence of a novel catalyst composition. The catalyst composition includes Zirconium compound, an organoaluminum compound, and at least one Lewis base selected from cyclic and acyclic ethers (i.e., di-n-butyl ether and diethyl ether). The process for oligomerization of ethylene is carried out in an inert organic solvent in the presence of said catalyst composition. The process as disclosed herein provides significantly high activity of the said catalyst composition resulting in high yield of the alpha olefins (>95 wt. %) as the product and significantly minimum polymer as by-product. The process provides higher yield of C6-C10 fraction with >60 wt. %.

The invention relates to oligomerization of olefins, such as ethylene, to higher olefins, such as a mixture of 1-hexene and 1-octene, using a catalyst system that comprises a) a source of chromium b) one or more activators and c) a phosphacycle-containing ligating compound. Additionally, the invention relates to a phosphacycle-containing ligating compound and a process for making said compound.

Catalyst systems suitable for tetramerizing ethylene to form 1-octene may include a catalyst having a structure according to Formula (VI) or Formula (VII). In Formulas (VI) and (VII), X is a halogen, a (C.sub.2-C.sub.30) carboxylate, acetylacetonate, or a (C.sub.1-C.sub.30) hydrocarbyl; L.sub.1 is a neutral coordinating ligand; n is an integer from 0 to 6; Y is a (C.sub.6-C.sub.20)fluorine-substituted aryl, a (C.sub.6-C.sub.20)fluorine-substituted aryloxy, or a (C.sub.1-C.sub.20)fluorine-substituted alkoxy; and L∩L is a bidentate chelating ligand. The catalyst system may also include an aluminum containing agent which includes a reaction product of an organoaluminum compound and an antifouling compound. The antifouling compound may include one or more organic acids, organic acid salts, esters, anhydrides, or combinations of these.

The present disclosure relates to a catalyst system comprising i) (a) an N.sup.2-phosphinyl bicyclic amidine chromium salt or (b) a chromium salt and an N.sup.2-phosphinyl bicyclic amidine and ii) an organoaluminum compound. The present disclosure also relate to a process comprising: a) contacting i) ethylene; ii) a catalyst system comprising (a) an N.sup.2-phosphinyl bicyclic amidine chromium salt complex or (b) a chromium salt and an N.sup.2-phosphinyl bicyclic amidine; ii) an organoaluminum compound, and iii) optionally an organic reaction medium; and b) forming an oligomer product in a reaction zone.

The present disclosure relates to a catalyst system comprising i) (a) a bicyclic 2-[(phosphinyl)aminyl] cyclic imine chromium salt or (b) a chromium salt and a bicyclic 2-[(phosphinyl)aminyl] cyclic imine and ii) an organoaluminum compound. The present disclosure also relates to a process comprising: a) contacting i) ethylene; ii) a catalyst system comprising (a) a 2-[(phosphinyl)aminyl] cyclic imine chromium salt complex or (b) a chromium salt and a bicyclic 2-[(phosphinyl)aminyl] cyclic imine; ii) an organoaluminum compound, and iii) optionally an organic reaction medium; and b) forming an oligomer product in a reaction zone.

A process comprising a heterogenous reaction between a solid metal organic framework supported heteropolyacid catalyst and a hydrocarbon feed to form a modified hydrocarbon stream. The modified hydrocarbon stream comprises essentially of C6+ hydrocarbons.

Methods of preparing oligomers of an olefin are provided. The methods can include providing an alkylaluminum compound and irradiating the alkylaluminum compound with microwave radiation to provide an irradiated alkylaluminum compound. The methods can further include mixing the irradiated alkylaluminum compound with a chromium compound, a pyrrole compound, and a zinc compound to provide a catalyst composition. The methods can further include contacting an olefin with the composition to form oligomers of the olefin. The olefin can include ethylene, and the oligomers of the olefin can include 1-hexene.

The present disclosure relates to a ligand compound, a catalyst system for oligomerization, and a method for olefin oligomerization using the same. The catalyst system for oligomerization using the ligand compound according to the present disclosure has excellent catalytic activity, exhibits high selectivity to 1-hexene and 1-octene, and greatly reduces the production of the by-products, thereby enabling efficient preparation of alpha-olefin.

The present disclosure relates to a catalyst system comprising i) (a) an N.sup.2-phosphinyl bicyclic amidine chromium salt or (b) a chromium salt and an N.sup.2-phosphinyl bicyclic amidine and ii) an organoaluminum compound. The present disclosure also relate to a process comprising: a) contacting i) ethylene; ii) a catalyst system comprising (a) an N.sup.2-phosphinyl bicyclic amidine chromium salt complex or (b) a chromium salt and an N.sup.2-phosphinyl bicyclic amidine; ii) an organoaluminum compound, and iii) optionally an organic reaction medium; and b) forming an oligomer product in a reaction zone.

Methods of preparing oligomers of an olefin are provided. The methods can include providing a composition that includes an alkylaluminum compound, a chromium compound, and a hydrocarbon solvent. The hydrocarbon solvent can include n-undecane, a C8-C11 alkane compound having one branch, or a mixture thereof. The methods can further include contacting an olefin with the composition to form oligomers of the olefin. The olefin can include ethylene, and the oligomers of the olefin can include 1-hexene.