Abstract: The present invention relates to a ligand and its use in a catalyst for the oligomerization of olefinic monomers, the ligand having the general formula (VI); (R9)(R10)P—N(R3)—P(R4)??(VI) wherein: the R9 and R10 groups are independently selected from optionally substituted alkyl or heteroalkyl groups; the R3 group is selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a heterohydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterohydrocarbyl group, a silyl group or derivative thereof; the R4 group is an optionally substituted alkylenedioxy, alkylenedimercapto or alkylenediamino structure which is bound to the phosphorus atom through the two oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms of the alkylenedioxy, alkylenedimercapto or alkylenediamino structure or an optionally substituted arylenedioxy, arylenedimercapto or arylenediamino structure which is bound to the phosphorus atom through the two oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms of the arylenedioxy, arylenedimercapto or arylenediamino structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ligand and its use in a catalyst for the oligomerization of olefinic monomers, the ligand having the general formula (I); P(R4)—P(R1)(R2)?N(R3)??(I) wherein: the R1 group and R2 group are independently selected from a hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl and substituted heterohydrocarbyl group; the R3 is selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a heterohydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterohydrocarbyl group, a silyl group or derivative thereof; the R4 group is an optionally substituted alkylenedioxy, alkylenedimercapto or alkylenediamino structure which is bound to the phosphorus atom through the two oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms of the alkylenedioxy, alkylenedimercapto or alkylenediamino structure or an optionally substituted arylenedioxy, arylenedimercapto or arylenediamino structure which is bound to the phosphorus atom through the two oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms of the arylenedioxy, arylenedimercapto

Abstract: A process for the preparation of linear alpha olefins having 2n carbon atoms from linear alpha olefins having n carbon atoms comprising the steps of (a) dimerizing a linear alpha olefin having n carbon atoms in the presence of a dimerization catalyst to produce a linear internal olefin having 2n carbon atoms; (b)(i) reacting the linear internal olefin having 2n carbon atoms produced in step (a) with a trialkylaluminium compound in the presence of a catalytic amount of an isomerization/displacement catalyst in order to cause isomerization of the linear internal olefin and to displace alkyl group(s) from said trialkylaluminium compound to form an alkyl aluminium compound wherein at least one of the alkyl groups bound to aluminium is a linear alkyl which has been derived from the isomerization of said linear internal olefin; and (b)(ii) reacting said alkyl aluminium compound with an alpha olefin optionally in the presence of a displacement catalyst so as to displace said linear alkyl from said alkyl aluminium co

Abstract: A transition metal complex which is a bis-arylimine pyridine MXn complex or a [bis-arylimine pyridine MXp+][NC?]q complex comprising a bis-arylimine pyridine ligand and M is a transition metal atom; n matches the formal oxidation state of the transition metal atom M; X is halide, optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, alkoxide, amide, or hydride; NC? is a non-coordinating anion; and p+q matches the formal oxidation state of the transition metal atom M. The transition metal complexes of the present invention, their complexes with non-coordinating anions and catalyst systems containing such complexes have good solubility in non-polar media and chemically inert non-polar solvents especially aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. The catalyst systems can be used for a wide range of (co-)oligomerization, polymerization and dimerization reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ligands and catalyst systems and a process for the simultaneous trimerization and tetramerization of olefinic monomers using said ligands, the ligands having the general formula (I): (R1)2P—P(R1)m(R2)n?N(R3)??(I) wherein R3 is selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a heterohydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterohydrocarbyl group, a silyl group or derivative thereof; the R1 groups are independently selected from an optionally substituted aromatic group bearing a polar substituent on at least one of the ortho-positions; and the R2 groups are independently selected from hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl and substituted heterohydrocarbyl groups with the proviso that when the group is aromatic it does not contain a polar substituent at any of the ortho-positions; with the proviso that m is 0 or 1, n is 1 or 2 and the total of m+n is 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ligand and its use in a catalyst for the oligomerization of olefinic monomers, the ligand having the general formula (I); P(R4)—P(R1)(R2)?N(R3)??(I) wherein: the R1 group is selected from a hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl and substituted heterohydrocarbyl group; the R2 group is selected from hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl and substituted heterohydrocarbyl groups; the R3 is selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a heterohydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterohydrocarbyl group, a silyl group or derivative thereof; the R4 group is an optionally substituted alkylenedioxy, alkylenedimercapto or alkylenediamino structure which is bound to the phosphorus atom through the two oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms of the alkylenedioxy, alkylenedimercapto or alkylenediamino structure or an optionally substituted arylenedioxy, arylenedimercapto or arylenediamino structure which is bound to the ph

Abstract: A catalyst precursor composition comprising a) a source of chromium, molybdenum or tungsten; b) a first ligand having the general formula (I): (R1)(R2)P-X-P(R3)(R4)??(I) where X is a bivalent organic bridging group, R1 and R3 are hydrocarbyl groups, and R2 and R4 are aromatic groups; and c) a second ligand having the general formula (II): (R1?)(R2?)P-X?-P(R3?)(R4?)??(II) where X? is a bridging group containing nitrogen and R1?, R2?, R3? and R4? are hydrocarbyl groups. The present invention also relates to a catalyst system comprising the catalyst precursor composition of the present invention and a cocatalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor composition comprising a) a source of chromium, molybdenum or tungsten; b) a first ligand having the general formula (I): (R1)(R2)P—X—P(R3)(R4)??(I) where X is a bivalent organic bridging group, R1 and R3 are hydrocarbyl groups, and R2 and R4 are aromatic groups; and c) a second ligand having the general formula (II): (R1?)(R2?)P—X?—P(R3?)(R4?)??(II) where X? is a bridging group containing nitrogen and R1?, R2?, R3? and R4? are hydrocarbyl groups. The present invention also relates to a catalyst system comprising the catalyst precursor composition of the present invention and a cocatalyst.

Abstract: Mixed bis-imine pyridine ligands of formula (I), wherein Z1, which is different from Z2, is an optionally substituted aryl group; and Z2 comprises an optionally substituted heterohydrocarbyl moiety, or an optionally substituted aryl group in combination with a metal, said optionally substituted aryl group being ?-co-ordinated to the metal; mixed bis-imine pyridine complexes comprising a ligand of formula (I); mixed ionic bis-imine pyridine complexes comprising a ligand of formula (I); and processes for the production of alpha olefins from ethylene, using said complexes.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor composition comprising a) a source of chromium, molybdenum or tungsten; b) a first ligand having the general formula (I); (R1)(R2)P—X—P(R3)(R4)??(I) wherein X is a bivalent organic bridging group; R1 and R3 are independently selected from, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl and substituted heterohydrocarbyl groups, with the proviso that when R1 and R3 are aromatic groups they do not contain a polar substituent at any of the ortho-positions; R2 and R4 are independently selected from optionally substituted aromatic groups, each R2 and R4 bearing a polar substituent on at least one of the ortho-positions; and c) a second ligand having the general formula (II); (R1?)(R2?)P—X?—P(R3?)(R4?)??(II) wherein X? is a bridging group of the formula —N(R5?)—, wherein R5? is selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a heterohydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterohydrocarbyl group, a silyl group or derivative thereof; and R1?, R2?, R3? and R4?

Abstract: A process for the simultaneous trimerization and tetramerization of olefinic monomers, wherein the process comprises contacting at least one olefinic monomer with a catalyst system comprising: a) a source of chromium, molybdenum or tungsten; b) a ligand having the general formula (I); (R1)2P-X-P(R1)m(R2)n??(I) wherein: X is a bridging group of the formula —N(R3)—; the R1 groups are independently selected from an optionally substituted aromatic group bearing a polar substituent on at least one of the ortho-positions; and the R2 groups are independently selected from hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl and substituted heterohydrocarbyl groups with the proviso that when the group is aromatic it does not contain a polar substituent at any of the ortho-positions; and c) a cocatalyst.

Abstract: A process for production of higher linear alpha olefins and/or alkyl-branched alpha olefins, which comprises the co-oligomerisation of one or more alpha olefins with ethylene in the presence of a metal catalyst system employing one or more bis-aryliminepyridine MXa complexes and/or one or more [bis-aryliminepyridine MYp.Lb+][NC?]q complexes; and said process is carried out at an ethylene pressure of less than 2.5 MPa.

Abstract: Non-symmetrical ligands of formula (I); bis-aryliminepyridine MXn complexes comprising a non-symmetrical ligand of formula (I), wherein M is a metal selected from Fe or Co, n is 2 or 3, and X is halide, optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, alkoxide, amide, or hydride; [bis-aryliminepyridine MYp.Ln+][NC?]q complexes, comprising a non-symmetrical ligand of formula (I), wherein Y is a ligand which may insert an olefin, M is Fe or Co, NC? is a non-coordinating anion and p+q is 2 or 3, matching the formal oxidation of the metal atom M, L is a neutral Lewis donor molecule and n=0, 1, or 2; and processes for the production of alpha-olefins from ethylene, using said complexes.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor composition comprising a) a source of chromium, molybdenum or tungsten; b) a first ligand having the general formula (I); (R1)(R2)P—X—P(R3)(R4) ??(I) wherein X is a bivalent organic bridging group; R1 and R3 are independently selected from, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl and substituted heterohydrocarbyl groups, with the proviso that when R1 and R3 are aromatic groups they do not contain a polar substituent at any of the ortho-positions; R2 and R4 are independently selected from optionally substituted aromatic groups, each R2 and R4 bearing a polar substituent on at least one of the ortho-positions; and c) a second ligand having the general formula (II); (R1?)(R2?)P—X?—P(R3?)(R4?) ??(II) wherein X? is a bridging group of the formula —N(R5?)—, wherein R5? is selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group, a substituted hydrocarbyl group, a heterohydrocarbyl group, a substituted heterohydrocarbyl group, a silyl group or derivative thereof; and R1?, R2?, R3? and R

Abstract: A catalyst system comprising: (a) one or more bisarylimino pyridine iron or cobalt catalysts; (b) a first co-catalyst compound which is selected from aluminium alkyls, aluminoxanes, and mixtures thereof; and (c) a second co-catalyst compound which comprises one or more compounds of the formula ZnR?2 wherein each R?, which may be the same or different, is selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1–C20 hydrocarbyl, phenyl, Cl, Br, I, SR?, NR?2, OH, OR?, CN, NC wherein R?, which within the same molecule may the same or different, is C1–C20 hydrocarbyl.

Abstract: Mixed bis-imine pyridine ligands of formula (I), wherein Z1, which is different from Z2, is an optionally substituted aryl group; and Z2 comprises an optionally substituted heterohydrocarbyl moiety, or an optionally substituted aryl group in combination with a metal, said optionally substituted aryl group being ?-co-ordinated to the metal; mixed bis-imine pyridine complexes comprising a ligand of formula (I); mixed ionic bis-imine pyridine complexes comprising a ligand of formula (I); and processes for the production of alpha olefins from ethylene, using said complexes.

Abstract: A process for production of higher linear alpha olefins and/or alkyl-branched alpha olefins, which comprises the co-oligomerisation of one or more alpha olefins with ethylene in the presence of a metal catalyst system employing one or more bis-aryliminepyridine MXa complexes and/or one or more [bis-aryliminepyridine MYp.Lb+][NC?]q complexes; and said process is carried out at an ethylene pressure of less than 2.5 MPa.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of linear alpha olefins having 2n carbon atoms from linear alpha olefins having n carbon atoms comprising the steps of (a) dimerizing a linear alpha olefin having n carbon atoms in the presence of a dimerization catalyst to produce a linear internal olefin having 2n carbon atoms; (b)(i) reacting the linear internal olefin having 2n carbon atoms produced in step (a) with a trialkylaluminium compound in the presence of a catalytic amount of an isomerization/displacement catalyst in order to cause isomerization of the linear internal olefin and to displace alkyl group(s) from said trialkylaluminium compound to form an alkyl aluminium compound wherein at least one of the alkyl groups bound to aluminium is a linear alkyl which has been derived from the isomerization of said linear internal olefin; and (b)(ii) reacting said alkyl aluminium compound with an alpha olefin optionally in the presence of a displacement catalyst so as to displace said linear alkyl from said alkyl aluminium co

Abstract: A transition metal complex which is a bis-arylimine pyridine MXn complex or a [bis-arylimine pyridine MXp+][NC?]q complex comprising a bis-arylimine pyridine ligand and M is a transition metal atom; n matches the formal oxidation state of the transition metal atom M; X is halide, optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, alkoxide, amide, or hydride; NC? is a non-coordinating anion; and p+q matches the formal oxidation state of the transition metal atom M. The transition metal complexes of the present invention, their complexes with non-coordinating anions and catalyst systems containing such complexes have good solubility in non-polar media and chemically inert non-polar solvents especially aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. The catalyst systems can be used for a wide range of (co-)oligomerization, polymerization and dimerization reactions.

Abstract: Mixed bis-imine pyridine ligands of formula (I), wherein Z1, which is different from Z2, is an optionally substituted aryl group; and Z2 comprises an optionally substituted heterohydrocarbyl moiety, or an optionally substituted aryl group in combination with a metal, said optionally substituted aryl group being ?-co-ordinated to the metal; mixed bis-imine pyridine complexes comprising a ligand of formula (I); mixed ionic bis-imine pyridine complexes comprising a ligand of formula (I); and processes for the production of alpha olefins from ethylene, using said complexes.