NiMCM-36 and NiMCM-22 catalysts for the ethylene oligomerization: Effect of zeolite texture and nickel cations/acid sites ratio

Abstract Nickel ion-exchanged MCM-36 and MCM-22 zeolites were prepared, characterized, and tested in the ethylene oligomerization reaction performed in slurry semi-batch mode ( T  = 70–150 °C, p  = 4 MPa). The behavior of catalysts was evaluated in relation to their texture and nickel cations/acid sites ratio. NiMCM-36 catalysts, with large accessibility in the mesoporous structure and mild acidity, showed an excellent activity (46 g of oligomers/g catalyst  h) and selectivity (100% olefins with even number of carbon atoms) in ethylene oligomerization, while lower catalytic activity and selectivity were observed over NiMCM-22 possessing microporous structure and high acid sites concentration.