Importance

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Abstract

Olefin is formed by displacing alkyl groups of aluminum trialkyl by contacting ethylene with the aluminum trialkyl in an ethylene:aluminum trialkyl mol ratio in the range of 2-8:1 at about 0.degree.-70.degree. C. and at atmospheric up to about 1000 psia pressure, for a reaction time of about 0.5 to about 60 minutes in the presence of a displacement enhancing amount of a nickel- or cobalt-containing displacement catalyst. Despite the fact that the displacement reaction is an equilibrium reaction, the process does not use, as did the prior art, large excesses of ethylene to shift the equilibrium to favor displacement. Consequently, the volumes of ethylene used in the processing are reduced very substantially and yet yields of the desired displaced alpha olefin remain favorable. Additionally, inasmuch as the process is conducted at relatively low temperatures and does not require high pressures, the energy requirements for the process are modest--far less, for example, than required in thermal displacement operations.

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First Claim