Patent ID: 8207390
Filing Date: 2012-06-26
Classification: C07C,C08F,C10M,C10N

Abstract:
1. A process to produce a polyalpha-olefin comprising: 1) contacting one or more alpha-olefin monomers having 3 to 24 carbon atoms with an unbridged, mono-substituted bis cyclopentadienyl transition metal compound, wherein the substitution is a non-isoolefin substitution on both cyclopentadienyl rings, a non-coordinating anion activator, and an alkyl-aluminum compound, where the molar ratio of transition metal compound to activator is 2:1 to 0.5:1, the molar ratio of alkyl aluminum compound to transition metal compound is 2:1 to 500:1, and the milligram amount of transition metal compound per gram of alpha-olefin monomer is in the range of 0.001 to 1, under polymerization conditions wherein: i) hydrogen is present at a partial pressure of 0.1 psi to less than 50 psi, based upon the total pressure of the reactor; ii) wherein the alpha-olefin monomer(s) having 3 to 24 carbon atoms are present at 10 volume % or more based upon the total volume of the catalyst/activator/alkylaluminum compound solutions, monomers, and any diluents or solvents present in the reaction; iii) the residence time of the reaction is at least 5 minutes; iv) the productivity of the process is at least 43,000 grams of total product per gram of transition metal compound; v) the process is continuous or semi-continuous, and vi) ethylene is not present at more than 30 volume % of the monomers entering the reaction zone; and 2) obtaining a polyalpha-olefin (PAO) wherein the PAO has a Mw/Mn of at least 1 and no greater than 1.4, optionally hydrogenating the PAO, wherein the PAO comprises at least 50 mole % of a C3 to C24 alpha-olefin monomer, and wherein the PAO has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 20 cSt or less.