Method for purifying linear alpha olefins

A catalytic process for selective isomerization of 2-ethyl-1-butene in a linear alpha olefin product stream, comprising:

• feeding a linear alpha olefin product stream comprising at least one linear alpha olefin, such as 1-hexene, and 2-ethyl-1-butene to a reactor housing a modified alumina catalyst to isomerize at least a portion of the 2-ethyl-1-butene to cis- or trans-3-methyl-2-pentene, the period during which said feeding occurs being time on stream;
• withdrawing an effluent from the reactor containing less 2-ethyl-1-butene than the linear alpha olefin product stream;
• and
• periodically regenerating the modified alumina catalyst by stopping the feeding step and introducing a non-oxidizing environment to the reactor at time on stream intervals of no more than about 200 hours, wherein the reactor is subjected to the non-oxidizing environment for a time period of about 15 hours or greater and wherein the non-oxidizing environment has a temperature of about 250° C. or greater for at least a portion of the time period.