Process for separating linear alpha olefins from 2-branched and/or 3-branched alpha olefins using polyaromatic compounds

摘要

A process for separating linear alpha olefins from their mixture in a feed stream with olefins which are branched at the 2- and/or 3-position, the process comprising: i) Contacting the feed stream with one or more linear polyaromatic compounds having 3 or more fused aromatic, optionally substituted, rings under conditions effective to form a linear polyaromatic compound-linear alpha olefin adduct. ii) Separating the linear polyaromatic compound-linear alpha olefin adduct from the reaction mixture. iii) Dissociating the linear polyaromatic compound-linear alpha olefin adduct to form the linear polyaromatic compound and a linear alpha olefin composition. An optional fourth step which involves separating the linear polyaromatic compound formed in step iii) from the linear alpha olefin composition is also described. Also described are linear alpha olefins which have been prepared by the process described above.