Refractory metal oxide/silica supported nickel cluster catalyst

Abstract

A catalyst that is highly active at low operating temperatures and pressures in the oligomerization of lower olefins such as ethylene is produced by contacting (a) a refractory metal oxide/silica support such as alumina/silica wherein the silica content of the support is from about 2 to about 95 weight percent and the metal oxide content of the support is from about 5 to about 98 percent with (b) a tris(cyclopentadienyl)trinickel dicarbonyl. When used to oligomerize ethylene, these catalysts are characterized by a relatively high reaction rate at moderate temperatures and pressures. Their use permits the production of relatively high proportions of desirable trimer, tetramer, pentamer, and higher olefinic products.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.