Nickel-catalyzed propylene dimerization in organochloroaluminate ionic liquids: Control of the isomerization reaction

Propylene dimerization has been studied in a biphasic system formed by [Ni(MeCN)6][BF4]2 dissolved in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium organochloroaluminate ionic liquid (IL). The activity and dimerization selectivity show a high dependence on the reactional parameters and evidence of interfacial phenomena feature has been obtained. The isomerization of C6 olefins could be minimized to 13% using a control of dimerization temperature and propylene pressure.

The influence of parameters such as pressure, precatalyst amount, [Al]/[Ni] molar ratio, stirring rate and temperature on the propylene dimerization with [Ni(MeCN)6][BF4]2/organochloroaluminate IL were studied. The selectivity towards isomerization and dimerization has been evaluated. The mechanism is rationalized based on the amount of each mode of insertion of successive propylene molecules.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide