Highly efficient supported AlCl3‐based cationic catalysts to produce polyα‐olefin oil base stocks

Abstract The main aim of this research is to decrease the amount of AlCl 3 content that is very corrosive and hazardous in the catalytic system, required for the α‐olefin oligomerization without substantial change of final oil features. This was successfully achieved by supporting AlCl 3 on different carriers. More precisely, a series of supported bimetallic catalysts was synthesized by immobilization of AlCl 3 and TiCl 4 onto Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , and mixed supports, that is, Al 2 O 3 /FeCl 3 and SiO 2 /FeCl 3 . It was found that silica and alumina‐based catalysts had higher catalytic activities compared to support free AlCl 3 ; however, this enhancement for silica‐based supports was more significant. According to gel permeation chromatography (GPC) results, the use of single supports, that is, Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 , increased oligomer's molecular weight, while the application of mixed supports resulted in the decrease of molecular weight of the oligomers. Viscosity characteristics of the synthesized oligomers have also been studied at two different temperatures of 40 and 100°C (KV 40 and KV 100 ). The viscosity index (VI) values, derived from KV 40 and KV 100 , of the prepared oligomers were in the range of 126–145. The molecular weight and termination mechanisms of the oligomers were studied by 1 H‐NMR spectroscopy. The obtained results disclosed that the employed reaction conditions led to the production of oligomer chains with various structures including vinylidene (Vd), and di and three‐substituted vinylene (2Vn, 3Vn) structures.