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.