Metallocene Catalysts for Olefin Oligomerization

Metallocene complexes with a cocatalyst such as methylalumoxane, MAO can be used as catalysts in the dimerization or oligomerization of olefins (alkenes) including the (co‐/hydro‐)oligomerization of ethene, of the α‐olefins propene, 1‐butene, 1‐pentene, 1‐hexene, and higher α‐olefins, branched α‐olefins, cyclic olefins and α,ω‐dienes. Possible applications of α‐olefin oligomers are summarized. Oligo‐olefins can be analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) or 1 H NMR spectroscopy for molecular weight determinations and by 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy or MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry for their end group structure.