Nickel-Phosphorous Catalyst for Propene Dimerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catalyst systems for propene dimerization are inefficient in producing high octane hexenes, such as 2,2 or 2,3 dimethylbutene, which are essential for improving gasoline pool octane ratings.
Innovation Solution
A nickel-containing composition is formed by mixing a phosphorous compound with a nickel complex bonded to a heteroatom and contacting it with a supported partially hydrolyzed alkylaluminum compound, followed by contacting the resulting mixture with a propene feedstream to convert propene to hexenes, with specific conditions and solvents optimizing the reaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional catalyst systems are used for propene dimerization, then the catalytic activity is maintained, but the selectivity to high octane hexenes (2,2 or 2,3 dimethylbutene) is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the catalyst system by incorporating specific phosphorous compounds (such as triphenyl phosphine, triisopropyl phosphine, or tributyl phosphine) in combination with nickel complexes and supported partially hydrolyzed alkylaluminum compounds. This chemical parameter change in the catalyst composition resolves the contradiction by achieving both high selectivity (≥30% dimethylbutene) and high conversion (≥60% propene conversion) simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite catalyst system comprising multiple components: nickel complex, phosphorous compound, and supported partially hydrolyzed alkylaluminum compound. This composite approach allows the synergistic interaction between components to achieve both high selectivity to high octane hexenes and high productivity, resolving the technical contradiction between manufacturing precision and productivity
2Productivity
If the propene conversion rate is increased, then the productivity improves, but the selectivity to desired hexenes may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the catalyst composition parameters by using specific ratios and types of phosphorous compounds with nickel complexes. The incorporation of phosphorous compounds modifies the electronic and steric properties of the nickel center, enabling the catalyst to maintain high selectivity (≥30% dimethylbutene) even at high conversion rates (≥60% propene conversion), thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision
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 method achieves high conversion rates of propene to hexenes, with at least 60% propene conversion and 30% dimethylbutene selectivity, demonstrating improved efficiency in producing valuable gasoline blend stocks.
Implementation Method 1
a nickel-containing composition is formed by mixing a phosphorous compound with a nickel complex comprising nickel bonded to a heteroatom... contacting the nickel-phosphorous-containing mixture with a supported partially hydrolyzed alkylaluminum compound... contacting the resulting mixture with a propene feedstream to convert at least a portion of the propene in the feedstream to hexenes
Implementation Method 2
contacting the nickel-phosphorous-containing mixture with a supported partially hydrolyzed alkylaluminum compound
Implementation Method 3
the supported partially hydrolyzed alkylaluminum compound... thereby forming a nickel-containing composition
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing a nickel-containing composition, and a composition prepared by such method, are disclosed including the steps of: a) mixing a phosphorous compound with a nickel complex having nickel bonded to a heteroatom to thereby form a nickel-phosphorous-containing mixture; and b) contacting the nickel-phosphorous-containing mixture with a supported partially hydrolyzed alkylaluminum compound, thereby forming such nickel-containing composition. Use of such nickel-containing composition in the dimerization of propene is also disclosed.