Catalytic oligomerization process using modified mesoporous crystalline material

Abstract

A novel oligomerization catalyst and process for upgrading olefins employing new synthetic catalyst of ultra-large pore crystalline material. The new crystalline material exhibits unusually large sorption capacity demonstrated by its benzene adsorption capacity of greater than about 15 grams benzene/100 grams at 50 torr and 25.degree. C., a hexagonal electron diffraction pattern that can be indexed with a d.sub.100 value greater than about 18 Angstrom Units and a hexagonal arrangement of uniformly sized pores with a maximum perpendicular cross section of at least about 13 Angstrom units; and the porous crystalline material is impregnated with at least one oligomerization promoting metal, such as Groups VIIIA metals, preferably nickel. The new process is provided for catalytic oligomerization of olefin feedstock which comprises contacting the feedstock under catalytic conversion conditions with the metal-modified acid metallosilicate solid catalyst having the structure of MCM-41 with hexagonal honeycomb lattice structure consisting essentially of uniform pores in the range of about 20 to 100 Angstroms. The oligomerization reaction is very selective, especially when conducted at temperature of 60.degree. to 120.degree. C. Low severity reaction permits excellent conversion of lower olefins at pressure of about 100-13,000 kPa range and moderate space velocity.

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