METHOD FOR THE OLIGOMERIZATION OF .alpha.-OLEFINS

摘要

This invention relates to novel catalyst systems useful for polymerizing alpha-olefins and to the process in which this catalyst system is used to obtain hydrocarbon oligomers useful as lubricants, hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids and the like. The specification discloses a process for oligomerizing alpha-olefins comprising contacting in a reaction zone under reaction conditions: (a) alpha-olefins having at least three carbon atoms; (b) an aluminum compound having the formula R3Al2X3 or RnAlX3-n, wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; R is an hydrocarbyl group and X is a reactive halogen selected from bromine and iodine; and (c) a cocatalyst which is (i) bromine, (ii) iodine, (iii) hydrocarbyl bromide having at least one halogen group reactive with said aluminum compound or (iv) hydrocarbyl iodide having at least one halogen group reactive with said aluminum compound.