Oligomerization of olefins over boron trifluoride in the presence of a transition metal cation-containing promoter
AssigneeTexaco Inc.
InventorJohn M. Larkin
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Abstract
Alpha olefins may be oligomerized over a boron trifluoride catalyst and a promoter containing a transition metal cation. When the oligomers are hydrogenated they provide a synthetic lubricant base stock having excellent properties. The alpha olefins may be derived from ethylene polymerization or wax pyrolysis. A protonic promoter and an inert organic solvent may be present.
Claims47
A process for oligomerizing mono olefins comprising contacting a mixture of alpha mono olefins having between 3 and 18 carbon atoms, inclusive, with a catalyst comprising boron trifluoride in the presence of an inorganic promoter containing a transition metal cation, under oligomerization conditions.
A process for oligomerizing mono olefins comprising contacting a mixture of alpha mono olefins which consists essentially of low molecular weight alpha olefins having 3 to 5 carbon atoms and higher molecular weight alpha olefins having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, with a catalyst comprising boron trifluoride in the presence of an inorganic promoter containing a transition metal cation selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, cobalt and chromium.
A process for oligomerizing mono olefins comprising contacting
- a. A mixture of alpha olefins which consists essentially of
- (1) at least one low molecular weight alpha olefin having 3 to 5 carbon atoms and
- (2) at least one higher molecular weight alpha olefin having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, with
- b. 0.2 to 3.0 weight percent of a catalyst comprising boron trifluoride in the presence of
- c. 0.005 to 3.0 weight percent of an inorganic promoter which contains a transition metal cation selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, cobalt and chromium, at a temperature in the range of about 25.degree. to 125.degree. C. and a pressure that is autogenous.
A process for the production of a synthetic lubricant component comprising
- a. oligomerizing a mixture of alpha mono olefins having between 3 and 18 carbon atoms, inclusive, by contacting the mixture with boron trifluoride in the presence of an inorganic promoter containing a transition metal cation, at a temperature sufficient to produce a crude oligomer product,
- b. neutralizing the crude oligomer product,
- c. removing the organic layer from the neutralized crude oligomer product,
- d. hydrogenating the oligomers in the removed organic layer, and
- e. stripping off the molecules having less than 20 carbon atoms, the balance being the synthetic lubricant component.
A synthetic lubricant component having a viscosity at 210.degree. F. of between 3.5 and 5.0 centistokes being produced by oligomerizing a mixture of alpha mono olefins which consists essentially of low molecular weight alpha olefins having 3 to 5 carbon atoms and higher molecular weight alpha olefins having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, by means of contacting the alpha olefins with boron trifluoride in the presence of an inorganic promoter containing a transition metal cation, under oligomerization conditions, and subsequently hydrogenating the oligomerized olefins.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.