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Ethylene to 2‐Butene in a Continuous Gas Phase Reaction using SILP‐Type Cationic Nickel Catalysts
Author(s) -
Scholz Judith,
Hager Veit,
Wang Xinjiao,
Kohler Florian T. U.,
Sternberg Michelle,
Haumann Marco,
Szesni Normen,
Meyer Karsten,
Wasserscheid Peter
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201300636
Subject(s) - ethylene , catalysis , cationic polymerization , isomerization , olefin fiber , ionic liquid , nickel , 1 butene , chemistry , butene , thermal stability , materials science , chemical engineering , photochemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
Owing to shifting market demands, it is important to convert ethylene to propylene. One attractive way to achieve this conversion is the dimerization of ethylene to 1‐butene, followed by isomerization to 2‐butene and subsequent metathesis of 2‐butene/ethylene olefin. Our contribution focuses on combining the first two steps. Herein, we report a highly selective tandem dimerization/isomerization of ethylene to 2‐butene catalyzed by homogeneously dissolved cationic nickel complexes. These catalysts can be efficiently immobilized by using the supported ionic liquid phase technology. Such supported ionic liquid phase materials have been tested under continuous gas phase conditions and demonstrated attractive catalytic performance with respect to both catalyst stability and productivity after the optimization of support, ionic liquid, ligand, and process parameters. The limited thermal stability of the nickel complexes and olefin condensation at too low temperatures require a careful thermal management of the fixed‐bed reactor.