Inorganic chemistry, terminal alkenes (alpha-olefins, α-olefins, or 1-alkenes) are a family of organic compounds which are alkenes (also known as olefins) with a chemical formula CxH2x, distinguished by having a double bond at the primary, alpha (α), or 1- position.[1] This location of a double bond enhances the reactivity of the compound and makes it useful for a number of applications.[2]
There are two types of alpha-olefins, branched and linear (or normal). The chemical properties of branched alpha-olefins with a branch at either the second (vinylidene) or the third carbon number are significantly different from the properties of linear alpha-olefins and those with branches on the fourth carbon number and further from the start of the chain.
Examples of linear alpha-olefins are propene, but-1-ene and dec-1-ene. An example of a branched alpha-olefin is isobutylene.
A variety of methods are employed for production of alpha-olefins. One class of methods starts with ethylene which is either dimerized or oligomerized. These conversions are respectively effected by the alphabutol process, giving 1-butene, and the Shell higher olefin process which gives a range of alpha-olefins. The former is based on titanium-based catalysts, and the latter relies on nickel-based catalysts. A whole other approach to alpha-olefins, especially long chain derivatives, involves cracking of waxes:[2]
In the PACOL process (paraffin conversion to olefins), linear alkanes are dehydrogenated over a platinum-based catalyst.
Alpha-olefins are valued building blocks for other industrial chemicals.
A major portion of medium or long chain derivatives are converted to detergents and plasticizers. A common first step in making such products is hydroformylation followed by hydrogenation of the resulting aldehydes. Long chain alpha-olefins are also oligomerized to give medium molecular weight oils that serve as lubricants. Alkylation of benzene with alpha-olefins followed by ring-sulfonation gives linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LABS) which are biodegradable detergents. Competing often with these petroleum-derived products are derivatives of fatty acids, such as fatty alcohols and fatty amines.[2]
Low molecular weight alpha-olefins (butenes, hexenes, etc.) are used as comonomers, which are incorporated into polyethylene. Some are subjected to olefin metathesis as a route to propylene.
