Ni(2,2′-bipyridine)2Cl2 encapsulated in Y zeolite new catalyst for ethylene dimerization

Catalysts containing Ni(2,2′-bipyridine)2Cl2 complex (K) encapsulated in Y zeolite cages (Ke/Y) or obtained by impregnation-complexation (Ki-c/Y), co-activated with AlCl(C2H5)2 show good activity and selectivity for ethylene dimerization at 333 K and W/F = 37 gcat h (moles C2H4)−1 molar contact time. Ke/Y co-activated with AlCl(C2H5)2 led to an ethylene conversion of 72.5% and 74.5% selectivity to C4H8, the prevailing isomer being 1-butylene.