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Abstract

A catalyst composition effective for isomerizing alpha-olefin to internal olefin and a process for conducting such isomerization using the catalyst composition are described. The catalyst comprises the combination of an alkyl aluminum alkoxide and a cobalt salt of an organic carboxylic acid or reduced form of such cobalt salt wherein the number of alkoxide groups in the alkyl aluminum alkoxide is sufficiently greater than 1 and sufficiently less than 3 per aluminum atom to provide an active catalyst for catalyzing such isomerization. Typically the alkyl aluminum alkoxide has the formula R.sup.3.sub.n Al(OR.sup.4).sub.p where R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are the same or different and are alkyl, n is from 0.75 to 1.85, p is from 1.15 to 2.25 and the sum of n and p is 3. The isomerization process using such catalysts proceeds rapidly and requires no addition of hydrogen to enhance the reaction. Failure to achieve the proper balance between alkoxide and alkyl groups on the alkyl aluminum alkoxide results in an inactive catalyst or a catalyst that is only minimally effective even at high temperatures.

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First Claim