Synthesis of Branched α‐Olefins via Trimerization and Tetramerization of Ethylene

Abstract α‐Olefins are very important bulk and fine chemicals and their synthesis from ethylene, an abundantly available and inexpensive feedstock, is highly attractive. Unfortunately, the direct or on‐purpose synthesis of olefins from ethylene is limited to three examples, 1‐butene, 1‐hexene, and 1...

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Main Authors: Fabian Lukas, Paula A. Simon, Thomas Dietel, Winfried P. Kretschmer, Rhett Kempe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-10-01
Series:Advanced Science
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202405653
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author Fabian Lukas
Paula A. Simon
Thomas Dietel
Winfried P. Kretschmer
Rhett Kempe
author_facet Fabian Lukas
Paula A. Simon
Thomas Dietel
Winfried P. Kretschmer
Rhett Kempe
author_sort Fabian Lukas
collection DOAJ
description Abstract α‐Olefins are very important bulk and fine chemicals and their synthesis from ethylene, an abundantly available and inexpensive feedstock, is highly attractive. Unfortunately, the direct or on‐purpose synthesis of olefins from ethylene is limited to three examples, 1‐butene, 1‐hexene, and 1‐octene, all having a linear structure. Herein, the direct synthesis of 3‐methylenepentane and 4‐ethylhex‐1‐ene, branched trimerization, and tetramerization products of ethylene, respectively, is reported. Different molecular titanium catalysts, all highly active, with a selectivity toward the formation of the branched ethylene trimer or tetramer, the employment of different activators, and different reaction conditions are the key to selective product formation. The long‐time stability of selected catalysts employed permits upscaling as demonstrated for the synthesis of 4‐ethylhex‐1‐ene (52 g isolated, TON(ethylene) 10.7 · 106).
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spelling doaj-art-741da99e5d63478c831ce89e7ec903d82025-08-20T02:17:10ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442024-10-011138n/an/a10.1002/advs.202405653Synthesis of Branched α‐Olefins via Trimerization and Tetramerization of EthyleneFabian Lukas0Paula A. Simon1Thomas Dietel2Winfried P. Kretschmer3Rhett Kempe4Lehrstuhl für Anorganische Chemie II – Katalysatordesign Sustainable Chemistry Centre University of Bayreuth 95440 Bayreuth GermanyLehrstuhl für Anorganische Chemie II – Katalysatordesign Sustainable Chemistry Centre University of Bayreuth 95440 Bayreuth GermanyLehrstuhl für Anorganische Chemie II – Katalysatordesign Sustainable Chemistry Centre University of Bayreuth 95440 Bayreuth GermanyLehrstuhl für Anorganische Chemie II – Katalysatordesign Sustainable Chemistry Centre University of Bayreuth 95440 Bayreuth GermanyLehrstuhl für Anorganische Chemie II – Katalysatordesign Sustainable Chemistry Centre University of Bayreuth 95440 Bayreuth GermanyAbstract α‐Olefins are very important bulk and fine chemicals and their synthesis from ethylene, an abundantly available and inexpensive feedstock, is highly attractive. Unfortunately, the direct or on‐purpose synthesis of olefins from ethylene is limited to three examples, 1‐butene, 1‐hexene, and 1‐octene, all having a linear structure. Herein, the direct synthesis of 3‐methylenepentane and 4‐ethylhex‐1‐ene, branched trimerization, and tetramerization products of ethylene, respectively, is reported. Different molecular titanium catalysts, all highly active, with a selectivity toward the formation of the branched ethylene trimer or tetramer, the employment of different activators, and different reaction conditions are the key to selective product formation. The long‐time stability of selected catalysts employed permits upscaling as demonstrated for the synthesis of 4‐ethylhex‐1‐ene (52 g isolated, TON(ethylene) 10.7 · 106).https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202405653branched α‐olefinsethylenetetramerizationtitaniumtrimerization
spellingShingle Fabian Lukas
Paula A. Simon
Thomas Dietel
Winfried P. Kretschmer
Rhett Kempe
Synthesis of Branched α‐Olefins via Trimerization and Tetramerization of Ethylene
Advanced Science
branched α‐olefins
ethylene
tetramerization
titanium
trimerization
title Synthesis of Branched α‐Olefins via Trimerization and Tetramerization of Ethylene
title_full Synthesis of Branched α‐Olefins via Trimerization and Tetramerization of Ethylene
title_fullStr Synthesis of Branched α‐Olefins via Trimerization and Tetramerization of Ethylene
title_full_unstemmed Synthesis of Branched α‐Olefins via Trimerization and Tetramerization of Ethylene
title_short Synthesis of Branched α‐Olefins via Trimerization and Tetramerization of Ethylene
title_sort synthesis of branched α olefins via trimerization and tetramerization of ethylene
topic branched α‐olefins
ethylene
tetramerization
titanium
trimerization
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202405653
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AT thomasdietel synthesisofbranchedaolefinsviatrimerizationandtetramerizationofethylene
AT winfriedpkretschmer synthesisofbranchedaolefinsviatrimerizationandtetramerizationofethylene
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