Linear alcohols from ethylene oligomerization

Linear internal monoolefins can be oxidized to linear secondary alcohols. The alpha (terminal) olefins from ethylene oligomerization, described earlier in this chapter, can be converted by oxo chemistry to alcohols having one more carbon atom. The higher alcohols from each of these sources are used for preparation of biodegradable, synthetic detergents. The alcohols provide the hydrophobic hydrocarbon group and are linked to a polar, hydrophilic group by ethoxylation, sulfation, phosphorylation, and so forth. 

Linear internal monoolefins can be oxidized to linear secondary alcohols. The alpha (terminal) olefins from ethylene oligomerization, described earlier in this chapter, can be... 

The resulting alcohols are one type of many alcohols used for detergents. The linear alcohols can be produced from n-paraffins by way of alpha olefins or by way of the chloroparaffins. Or they can be made from alpha olefins formed from Ziegler oligomerization of ethylene. 

Other Higher Oleiins. Linear a-olefins, such as 1-hexene and 1-octene, are produced by catalytic oligomerization of ethylene with triethyl aluminum (6) or with nickel-based catalysts (7—9) (see Olefins, higher). Olefins with branched alkyl groups are usually produced by catalytic dehydration of corresponding alcohols. For example, 3-methyl-1-butene is produced from isoamyl alcohol using base-treated alumina (15). 

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