Fair Look at Coordination Oligomerization of Higher α-Olefins

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 12; no. 5; p. 1082
• Main Authors: Nifant'ev, Ilya, Ivchenko, Pavel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 09.05.2020; MDPI
• Subjects: Alkenes; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemical synthesis; Coordination; Dimerization; Dimers; Homogeneity; Laboratories; Lubricants; metallocenes; Molecular structure; oils; Oligomerization; Oligomers; Organic compounds; Polymerization; Review; single-site catalysts; Transition metals; Vinylidene; Zirconium; dimerization; polymerization; oligomerization; single-site catalysts; oils; metallocenes
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym12051082

Coordination catalysis is a highly efficient alternative to more traditional acid catalysis in the oligomerization of α-olefins. The distinct advantage of transition metal-based catalysts is the structural homogeneity of the oligomers. Given the great diversity of the catalysts and option of varying the reaction conditions, a wide spectrum of processes can be implemented. In recent years, both methylenealkanes (vinylidene dimers of α-olefins) and structurally uniform oligomers with the desired degrees of polymerization have become available for later use in the synthesis of amphiphilic organic compounds and polymers, high-quality oils or lubricants, and other prospective materials. In the present review, we discussed the selective dimerization and oligomerization of α-olefins, catalyzed by metallocene and post-metallocene complexes, and explored the prospects for the further applications of the coordination α-olefin dimers and oligomers.