• Sulfuric acid dimerization of isobutene for the production of trimethylpentenes, in
particular a mixture of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1-pentene and 2,2,4-trimethyl-2-pentene.
• Selective dimerization of propylene to 2-methyl-1-pentene over
triethylaluminum in a process developed by Scientific Design and Goodyear.
This dimer can be used as an intermediate for the synthesis of isoprene.
• Selective dimerization of propylene to 4-methyl-1-pentene over
organopotassium compounds or, in general, strong alkaline catalysts, in the liquid
phase. 4-Methyl-1-pentene is a monomer used in the preparation of transparent
plastics with a high melting point used in microwavable cookware, lab ware, and
medical products and manufactured commercially by Mitsui Plastics, Inc., under
the name “TPX” and by Phillips 66 under the name “Crystalor.”
• H€ uls AG’s Octol process for the selective dimerization of n-butenes to highly
linear octenes suitable for the manufacture of isononyl alcohol plasticizers over a
solid heterogenous catalyst. The product may contain up to 20 % n-octenes and
over 50 % methylheptenes, with a balance of dimethylhexenes, and a small
amount of trimethylpentenes; the product is quite similar to that obtained with
IFP’s Dimersol X process.
Conclusions
Catalytic olefin condensation is one of the oldest catalytic processes used in refining
and petrochemical operations and pioneered the use of acid catalysts. Many catalysts have been used over the years that have been examined, albeit briefly, in this
chapter. Solid phosphoric acid catalysts (SPA) were for many years the workhorse
of the industry and still command a very respectable market share. More surprisingly, this old technology is currently enjoying a bit of a revival by the introduction
of highly selective, low temperature, liquid phase operations in which both sulfonic
acid resins and SPA are finding growth. Zeolitic catalysts are slowly making
inroads in condensation primarily to make more linear oligomers in the C 12 –C 24
range, for quality synthetic diesel and jet fuels.
Catalyst Suppliers
The information provided herein is correct as of the time of this writing but is
subject to change without notice. The addresses provided are for the central offices;
the catalysts themselves may be sourced from other geographical locations.
Dimersol catalysts are proprietary and can be obtained through Axens (IFP):
Institut Franc ¸ais du Pe ´trole
IFP, North America, Inc.
1 et 4, Avenue de Bois-Pre ´au
100 Overlook Center, Suite 400
92852 Rueil–Malmaison Cedex
Princeton, NJ 08540
France
USA
Olefin Condensation
477
particular a mixture of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1-pentene and 2,2,4-trimethyl-2-pentene.
• Selective dimerization of propylene to 2-methyl-1-pentene over
triethylaluminum in a process developed by Scientific Design and Goodyear.
This dimer can be used as an intermediate for the synthesis of isoprene.
• Selective dimerization of propylene to 4-methyl-1-pentene over
organopotassium compounds or, in general, strong alkaline catalysts, in the liquid
phase. 4-Methyl-1-pentene is a monomer used in the preparation of transparent
plastics with a high melting point used in microwavable cookware, lab ware, and
medical products and manufactured commercially by Mitsui Plastics, Inc., under
the name “TPX” and by Phillips 66 under the name “Crystalor.”
• H€ uls AG’s Octol process for the selective dimerization of n-butenes to highly
linear octenes suitable for the manufacture of isononyl alcohol plasticizers over a
solid heterogenous catalyst. The product may contain up to 20 % n-octenes and
over 50 % methylheptenes, with a balance of dimethylhexenes, and a small
amount of trimethylpentenes; the product is quite similar to that obtained with
IFP’s Dimersol X process.
Conclusions
Catalytic olefin condensation is one of the oldest catalytic processes used in refining
and petrochemical operations and pioneered the use of acid catalysts. Many catalysts have been used over the years that have been examined, albeit briefly, in this
chapter. Solid phosphoric acid catalysts (SPA) were for many years the workhorse
of the industry and still command a very respectable market share. More surprisingly, this old technology is currently enjoying a bit of a revival by the introduction
of highly selective, low temperature, liquid phase operations in which both sulfonic
acid resins and SPA are finding growth. Zeolitic catalysts are slowly making
inroads in condensation primarily to make more linear oligomers in the C 12 –C 24
range, for quality synthetic diesel and jet fuels.
Catalyst Suppliers
The information provided herein is correct as of the time of this writing but is
subject to change without notice. The addresses provided are for the central offices;
the catalysts themselves may be sourced from other geographical locations.
Dimersol catalysts are proprietary and can be obtained through Axens (IFP):
Institut Franc ¸ais du Pe ´trole
IFP, North America, Inc.
1 et 4, Avenue de Bois-Pre ´au
100 Overlook Center, Suite 400
92852 Rueil–Malmaison Cedex
Princeton, NJ 08540
France
USA
Olefin Condensation
477