Nickel Diimine Catalyst Polymerization of Internal Olefins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes fail to effectively polymerize low molecular weight internal olefins due to their low reactivity, resulting in limited uses and poor properties of the resulting products, such as branched structures and low cetane number in diesel fuels, which hinders the production of high-quality base stocks and diesel fuels with improved flow, low temperature properties, and thickening efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dual catalyst system comprising a nickel diimine catalyst and optionally a palladium diimine catalyst is used to isomerize and polymerize internal olefins, producing linear polyolefin products with specific carbon fractions and structures that enhance flow, low temperature properties, and cetane number, suitable for use as base stocks and diesel fuels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If internal olefins are polymerized using conventional catalysts, then polymerization occurs, but the products are highly branched with poor flow properties and low cetane number
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the catalyst system by using early transition metal catalysts (Ti, Zr, Hf, V) with specific ligand environments and activation methods. This parameter change transforms the polymerization mechanism to produce linear polyolefins with controlled branching (20-40% di-substituted olefins) rather than highly branched structures, improving flow properties and cetane number.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific activators (MAO, MMAO, alkyl halides, carboxylic acids) as intermediaries that mediate between the early transition metal catalyst and internal olefin substrate. These intermediaries enable the catalyst to activate internal olefins effectively and control the polymerization to produce linear structures with improved properties.
2Quantity of substance
If internal olefins are used as feedstock, then abundant feed availability is achieved, but low reactivity prevents effective polymerization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reactivity parameters by selecting early transition metals (Ti, Zr, Hf, V) with appropriate oxidation states and coordinating them with specific ligands (imines, amines, phosphines). This parameter change enables these catalysts to effectively activate the low-reactivity internal olefin double bonds, allowing polymerization of abundant internal olefin feeds that were previously unreactive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite catalyst systems combining early transition metal centers with organic ligands (diimine, aminoiminopyridine, phosphine ligands) and activators. This composite structure synergistically enhances the catalyst's ability to activate internal olefins while controlling polymerization to produce desired linear polyolefin products with improved properties.
3Productivity
If conventional oligomerization is used, then chemical intermediate production is achieved, but high molecular weight polymers are formed instead of desired base stock range products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of molecular weight by adjusting process parameters including monomer-to-catalyst ratio, temperature, pressure, and reaction time. This dynamic control enables production of polyolefins in the base stock molecular weight range (C10-C50) rather than only high molecular weight polymers or chemical intermediates, achieving desired productivity with precise molecular weight specification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters (temperature, pressure, monomer concentration) and chemical parameters (catalyst loading, activator type) to control the polymerization kinetics. These parameter changes enable precise control over degree of polymerization, producing polyolefins with molecular weights suitable for base stocks and diesel fuels rather than high molecular weight materials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process yields polyolefin products with improved flow, low temperature properties, and high cetane number, enabling the creation of high-quality base stocks and diesel fuels with enhanced performance and cost-effectiveness by utilizing otherwise underutilized low molecular weight internal olefins.
Implementation Method 1
A dual catalyst system comprising a nickel diimine catalyst and optionally a palladium diimine catalyst is used to isomerize and polymerize internal olefins
Implementation Method 2
A dual catalyst system comprising a nickel diimine catalyst and optionally a palladium diimine catalyst is used to isomerize and polymerize internal olefins, producing linear polyolefin products
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides base stocks and processes for producing such basestocks by polymerizing internal olefins. The present disclosure further provides base stocks, comprising low molecular weight polyolefin products, having one or more of improved flow, low temperature properties, and thickening efficiency. The present disclosure further provides polyolefin products useful as base stocks and or diesel fuel. In at least one embodiment, a process includes introducing a feedstream comprising C4-C30 internal-olefins with a catalyst system comprising a nickel diimine catalyst optionally in the presence of a solvent. The method includes obtaining a C6-C100 polyolefin product having one or more of a carbon fraction of epsilon-carbons of from about 0.08 to about 0.3, as determined by 13C NMR spectroscopy, based on the total carbon content of the polyolefin product.