Isomerization of linear olefins with solid acid catalysts and primary esters

Abstract

Isomerized olefin products are produced by contacting an olefin feed containing a C10 to C20 normal alpha olefin, a solid acid catalyst, and a C2 to C15 primary ester to form the isomerized olefin product. Typical primary esters used in the processes include formates and acetates. Linear olefin compositions are produced that contain at least 80 wt. % C10 to C20 linear internal olefins, less than 8 wt. % C10 to C20 normal alpha olefins, less than 8 wt. % dimers of C10 to C20 olefins, less than 15 wt. % C10 to C20 branched olefins, and at least 1 wt. % C2 to C15 primary ester and less than 8 wt. % secondary esters.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.