Process for deactivation of an olefin oligomerization catalyst

A process for the oligomerization of an olefin, the process comprising:

• feeding the olefin, a solvent, and a catalyst composition comprising a chromium source, a heteroatomic multidentate ligand, and an activator into a reactor;
• oligomerizing the olefin in the reactor to form a reaction product stream comprising linear alpha olefins, the solvent, and the catalyst composition;
• contacting the reaction product stream with a catalyst quenching medium comprising an alcohol having at least 6 carbon atoms, an organic amine, an amino alcohol, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, to form a first intermediate stream comprising a deactivated catalyst composition, linear alpha olefins, the solvent, and excess catalyst quenching medium;
• separating the linear alpha olefins from the first intermediate stream to provide a second intermediate stream comprising the deactivated catalyst composition and excess catalyst quenching medium;
• and
• recovering the catalyst quenching medium from the second intermediate stream;
• wherein the catalyst quenching medium is contacted with the reaction product stream in a molar ratio of catalyst quenching medium to the catalyst composition of at least 100:1.