The selective dimerization of isoolefins, such as isobutene or isopentane, or mixtures thereof, may be conducted in a system including a series of fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor. The system may provide for conveyance of the fixed bed reactor effluents, without componential separation, to a downstream reactor. It has been found that a high selectivity to the dimer may be achieved even though intermediate separation of the desired product from unreacted components between reactors is not performed. Further, embodiments provide for use of a divided wall column for recovery of a high purity dimer product, reducing unit piece count and plot size.

The selective dimerization of isoolefins, such as isobutene or isopentane, or mixtures thereof, may be conducted in a system including a series of fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor. The system may provide for conveyance of the fixed bed reactor effluents, without componential separation, to a downstream reactor. It has been found that a high selectivity to the dimer may be achieved even though intermediate separation of the desired product from unreacted components between reactors is not performed. Further, embodiments provide for use of a divided wall column for recovery of a high purity dimer product, reducing unit piece count and plot size.

The selective dimerization of isoolefins, such as isobutene or isopentane, or mixtures thereof, may be conducted in a system including a series of fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor. The system may provide for conveyance of the fixed bed reactor effluents, without componential separation, to a downstream reactor. It has been found that a high selectivity to the dimer may be achieved even though intermediate separation of the desired product from unreacted components between reactors is not performed. Further, embodiments provide for use of a divided wall column for recovery of a high purity dimer product, reducing unit piece count and plot size.

The selective dimerization of isoolefins, such as isobutene or isopentane, or mixtures thereof, may be conducted in a system including a series of fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor. The system may provide for conveyance of the fixed bed reactor effluents, without componential separation, to a downstream reactor. It has been found that a high selectivity to the dimer may be achieved even though intermediate separation of the desired product from unreacted components between reactors is not performed. Further, embodiments provide for use of a divided wall column for recovery of a high purity dimer product, reducing unit piece count and plot size.

A method for producing p-xylene, comprising: a dimerization step of bringing a first raw material comprising isobutene into contact with a dimerization catalyst to generate C8 components comprising diisobutylene; a cyclization step of bringing a second raw material comprising the C8 components into contact with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising Pt in the presence of hydrogen to obtain a reaction product comprising p-xylene; and a collection step of collecting p-xylene from the reaction product.

A method for producing p-xylene, comprising: a dimerization step of bringing a first raw material comprising isobutene into contact with a dimerization catalyst to generate C8 components comprising diisobutylene; a cyclization step of bringing a second raw material comprising the C8 components into contact with a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising Pt in the presence of hydrogen to obtain a reaction product comprising p-xylene; and a collection step of collecting p-xylene from the reaction product.

The selective dimerization of isoolefins, such as isobutene or isopentane, or mixtures thereof, may be conducted in a system including a series of fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor. The system may provide for conveyance of the fixed bed reactor effluents, without componential separation, to a downstream reactor. It has been found that a high selectivity to the dimer may be achieved even though intermediate separation of the desired product from unreacted components between reactors is not performed. Further, embodiments provide for use of a divided wall column for recovery of a high purity dimer product, reducing unit piece count and plot size.

The selective dimerization of isoolefins, such as isobutene or isopentane, or mixtures thereof, may be conducted in a system including a series of fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor. The system may provide for conveyance of the fixed bed reactor effluents, without componential separation, to a downstream reactor. It has been found that a high selectivity to the dimer may be achieved even though intermediate separation of the desired product from unreacted components between reactors is not performed. Further, embodiments provide for use of a divided wall column for recovery of a high purity dimer product, reducing unit piece count and plot size.

Oligomer products are produced by reacting an alpha olefin and a vinylidene compound in the presence of a solid catalyst, such as a solid oxide or a chemically-treated solid oxide. Metallocene compounds, organoaluminum compounds, and BF.sub.3 are not needed to perform the reaction. Oligomer products formed by processes disclosed herein have a trimer:tetramer weight ratio of at least 2:1.

Oligomer products are produced by reacting an alpha olefin and a vinylidene compound in the presence of a solid catalyst, such as a solid oxide or a chemically-treated solid oxide. Metallocene compounds, organoaluminum compounds, and BF.sub.3 are not needed to perform the reaction. Oligomer products formed by processes disclosed herein have a trimer:tetramer weight ratio of at least 2:1.