Tailoring solid catalysts for the ethene oligomerization reaction

The selective oligomerization of ethene to linear alpha olefins is an attractive method for production of a wide range of key intermediates for the chemical industry. Current industrial processes are predominantly utilizing homogenous metal catalysts with a cocatalyst in organic solvents. Heterogeneous catalysts potentially offer a more environmentally friendly alternative and significant effort, both in academia and industry, has been put into the development of heterogeneous catalysts for the ethene oligomerization reaction. In this thesis, nickel functionalized zeolites, silica, and metal-organic framework (MOF) catalysts have been investigated for the cocatalyst free ethene oligomerization reaction. Zeolites and MOFs are porous materials with a wide range of potential use and have numerous applications in catalysis. Different zeolites and MOFs have been investigated to understand the nature of the active site, reaction mechanism and the role of the support in the reaction. This thesis provides insights into role of the zeolites in the reaction and the dynamic nature of the nickel active site during the reaction. Kinetic, spectroscopic, and theoretical methods elucidate the nature of active and spectator nickel species in Ni-MOFs and opens new research opportunities to develop cocatalyst free MOF catalyst