Aluminum phosphate-supported group 6 metal amide catalysts for oligomerization of ethylene

Abstract

A catalyst composition for the preparation of oligomeric and/or polymer derivatives of olefin monomers, said composition comprising a Group 6 metal amide complex, a Group 1, 2, 12, 13, or 14 metal hydrocarbyl composition or compound, and a solid support comprising aluminum phosphate.

1 . A catalyst composition for the preparation of oligomeric derivatives of olefin monomers, comprising a Group 6 metal amide complex or compound, a Group 1, 2, 12, 13 or 14 metal hydrocarbyl composition or compound, and a solid support comprising aluminum phosphate. 
     
     
         2 . The catalyst composition of  claim 1  wherein the Group 6 metal amide complex corresponds to the following formula: M(NR 1   2 ) r X v-r    wherein M is a Group 6 metal;   R 1  independently in each occurrence is a secondary or tertiary alkyl group of from 3 to 20 carbons, a cycloalkyl group of from 5 to 20 carbons, an aryl or alkylaryl group of from 6 to 20 carbons, or a tri(C 1-20 )hydrocarbylsilyl group, and optionally two R 1  groups on the same or adjacent amide groups may be joined together thereby forming a heterocycloaliphatic ring, or an alkyl-, aryl-, cycloalkyl-, or trihydrocarbylsilyl-substituted derivative thereof;   X is an anionic ligand of up to 20 atoms not counting hydrogen, and optionally one or more X groups and/or one or more NR 1   2  groups may be joined together to form an aliphatic or aromatic ring,   r is a number greater than 0 and less than or equal to v, and   v is the valence of M.   
     
     
         3 . The catalyst composition of  claim 1  wherein the metal hydrocarbyl composition or compound is trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, or tri-isobutylaluminum. 
     
     
         4 . The catalyst composition of  claim 2  wherein the metal hydrocarbyl composition or compound is trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, or tri-isobutylaluminum. 
     
     
         5 . The catalyst composition of  claim 1  wherein the aluminum phosphate is substantially amorphous and corresponds to the formula: Al x P y O 4  where x+y=2 and x is >0.2. 
     
     
         6 . The catalyst composition of  claim 5  wherein the aluminum phosphate has a P/Al molar ratio from 0.92 to 1.0.