Abstract: Ethylene is oligomerized by contacting ethylene with a catalyst produced by contacting (a) a refractory metal oxide/silica support such as alumina/silica wherein the silica content of the support is from about 2 to about 95 weight percent and the metal oxide content of the support is from about 5 to about 98 percent with (b) a tris(cyclopentadienyl)trinickel dicarbony. This process is characterized by a relatively high reaction rate at moderate temperatures and pressures and results in the production of relatively high proportions of desirable trimer, tetramer, pentamer, and higher olefinic products.

Abstract: A catalyst that is highly active at low operating temperatures and pressures in the oligomerization of lower olefins such as ethylene is produced by contacting (a) a refractory metal oxide/silica support such as alumina/silica wherein the silica content of the support is from about 2 to about 95 weight percent and the metal oxide content of the support is from about 5 to about 98 percent with (b) a tris(cyclopentadienyl)trinickel dicarbonyl. When used to oligomerize ethylene, these catalysts are characterized by a relatively high reaction rate at moderate temperatures and pressures. Their use permits the production of relatively high proportions of desirable trimer, tetramer, pentamer, and higher olefinic products.

Abstract: A catalyst that is highly active in the oligomerization of lower olefins such as ethylene is produced by contacting (a) a refractory metal oxide/silica support, such as alumina/silica wherein the silica content of the support is from about 2 to about 95 weight percent and the metal oxide content of the support is from about 5 to about 98 percent with (b) a solution of a basic metal and then (c) contacting the resulting metal modified support with a tris(cyclopentadienyl)trinickel dicarbonyl.