Abstract: A process for making a metallocene, said process comprising the steps of (a) reacting an alkylsubstituted cyclopentadiene ligand, which contains a mixture of endo- and exo-isomers, with up to about a 10% excess over a stoichiometric amount of a deprotonation agent based on the amount of endo-isomers, so as to form a salt of said endo-isomers, (b) reacting the endo-isomer salt with a transition or actinide metal compound so as to form said metallocene and (c) optionally separating said exo-isomers and trace amounts of unreacted endo-isomers from said metallocene by distillation.

Abstract: Trimethylaluminum is made by an alkyl exchange process by first reacting a trialkylaluminum which has at least two carbon atoms in its alkyl groups with a methyl halide, optionally in the presence of an alkyl exchange catalyst, and then fractionally distilling trimethylaluminum from the product mixture in the presence of trialkylaluminum having at least two carbon atoms in its alkyl groups so as to convert the dimethylaluminum halide by-product of the alkyl exchange reaction into trimethylaluminum.

Abstract: Alkylaluminoxanes having improved catalytic activity such as when they are used in combination with metallocenes for the polymerization of alpha-olefins, are prepared by treating an organic solvent solution of an alkylaluminoxane, such as methylaluminoxane, with anhydrous lithium halide.

Abstract: The process of preparing higher aluminum alkyls by olefin chain growth on alkyl aluminum is improved by using on-line flow-through calorimetry to determine the aluminum concentration of a process stream, such as the aluminum alkyl feed stream, by reacting a sample portion of the process stream with a molar excess of alcohol and measuring the change in temperature. The aluminum concentration of the stream can then be adjusted as required to maintain it within a selected range.

Abstract: .alpha.,.omega.-Diene oligomers which are useful as synthetic lubricants are prepared by oligomerizing a .alpha.,.omega.-diene using a trialkylaluminum catalyst.

Abstract: A synthetic oil is made by a process comprising the steps of (a) reacting a vinylidene olefin in the presence of a catalyst to form an intermediate mixture which contains at least about 50 weight percent dimer of said vinylidene olefin, and (b) adding a vinyl olefin to said intermediate mixture and reacting said intermediate mixture and said vinyl olefin in the presence of a catalyst so as to form a product mixture which contains said dimer of said vinylidene olefin and a codimer of said added vinyl olefin with said vinylidene olefin.

Abstract: Novel tertiary amine-aluminoxane halide derivatives are disclosed along with olefin polymerization catalyst and polymerization processes using such derivatives in combination with metallocenes.

Abstract: Metallocenes which are useful as olefin polymerization catalysts are prepared by reacting a compound of a metal of the group 4 to 10, lanthanide or actinide series of the Periodic Table of the Elements with a magnesium halide salt of a cyclopentadienyl containing ligand in the presence of an organic halide so as to form the metallocene while simultaneously raising the oxidation state of the metal.

Abstract: Alkyl substituted cyclopentadienes are prepared by reacting cyclopentenones with a Grignard reagent followed by the acidification and dehydration of the resulting tertiary alcohol with an organic carboxylic acid.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly invert drilling fluid comprises a water-in-oil emulsion which includes (a) at least 50 volume percent of a low toxicity base oil, and (b) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, viscosifiers, weighting agents, oil wetting agents and fluid loss preventing agents, at least about 25 volume percent of the base oil content of the drilling fluid being one or more linear alpha-olefins which have from about 14 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Aluminum alkyls are oxidized to aluminum alkoxides using a cobalt catalyst to increase the rate of oxidation. Alcohols can be prepared by hydrolysis of the aluminum alkoxides.

Abstract: Novel tertiary amine-aluminoxane halide derivatives are disclosed along with olefin polymerization catalyst and polymerization processes using such derivatives in combination with metallocenes.

Abstract: A siloxy-aluminoxane composition which is the reaction product of an alkyldisiloxane and an aluminoxane is provided. The compositions in combination with metallocenes of transition metals form catalysts which can be used in the polymerization of olefins such as ethylene.

Abstract: Novel primary and secondary amino-aluminoxane derivatives are prepared by reacting an aluminoxane and a primary or secondary amine in an organic solvent, heating the reaction mixture to form a homogeneous solution and filtering the solution.

Abstract: TiCl.sub.3 coordination complexes with ethers are prepared by adding TiCl.sub.3.1/3AlCl.sub.3 to an ether solvent so as to form a solid TiCl.sub.3 -ether coordination complex in said solvent.

Abstract: Cyclopentadienyl derivatives are deprotonated by a process whereby the cyclopentadienyl derivatives are reacted with a Grignard reagent in an inert solvent which contains from about 0.5 to 1.5 equivalents per equivalent of cyclopentadienyl derivative of a cyclic ether or an acyclic polyether, so as to form a dianionic salt of said cyclopentadienyl derivative.

Abstract: Activated carboxylic acids and esters such as pentafluorobenzoic acid are rapidly decarboxylated in high yields by reacting the acid or ester with an alkanolamine reagent which catalyzes the reaction.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing an substituted cyclopentadiene by the steps of (a) reacting a vinyl ketone with a vinyl organometallic compound to form a divinyl tertiary alcohol and (b) dehydrating/cyclizing the tertiary alcohol such as with an acid and/or heat to form the substituted cyclopentadiene.

Abstract: Branched chain carboxylic esters are prepared by reacting an unsaturated PAO such as 1-decene dimer with CO and an aliphatic alcohol solvent in the presence of an acid and a noble metal catalyst complex such as RuCl.sub.3 /Ph.sub.3 P or PdCl.sub.3 /Ph.sub.3 P.

Abstract: A heterogeneous catalyst composition comprising a primary catalyst such as a metallocene and a methylaluminoxane, at least about 10 percent but less than about 40 percent of the total aluminum value in the methylaluminoxane being soluble in toluene at 25.degree. C.