Concentration-induced structural diversity and catalytic activity of BF3/n-BuOH complexes for n-decene polymerization

The BF3/n-BuOH complexes were investigated as active species in catalyzing n-decene polymerization reaction. The structures of BF3/n-BuOH complexes were characterized not only by modern spectrum but also by calculation at theoretical level. The results confirmed that BF3/n-BuOH complexes changed from BF3·(n-BuOH)2 complexes to BF3·n-BuOH complexes with the mass fraction of BF3 increasing. These two complexes have different catalytic activity, but BF3·n-BuOH was superior. The highest n-decene conversion could reach 99% and the most excellent selectivity of n-decene trimer and tetramer could reach up to 80% yield by a series of controlled conditions. This work can help to understand the catalytic active species of n-decene polymerization and provide support for industrialization of poly-alpha-olefins (PAOs).