Upgrading light olefins by trimerization catalysis

Abstract

Activation of a (phenoxy-imine) titanium tri-Me complex with one equiv. of B(C_6F_5)_3 effects the catalytic trimerization of ethylene. Stoichiometric activation with B(C_6F_5)_3 allows for mechanistic studies to be conducted, which give insight into catalyst initiation, trimerization, and decompn., and the relative rates of these processes. In addn. to ethylene, α-olefins are oligomerized with high selectivity for trimers (> 95%), of which approx. 85% are one regioisomer.

Additional details