Nickel-Containing Catalysts of Ethylene Conversion for Synthesizing Motor Fuel Components and Light Alkenes

Polyfunctional nickel-containing catalysts based on B₂O₃–Al₂O₃ and MoO₃–Al₂O₃ oxide supports have been synthesized by sequential impregnation and studied in the conversion of ethylene into C₅₊ alkenes or propylene. The physicochemical properties of the prepared catalysts has been studied using X-ray diffraction analysis, IR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO, UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), temperature-programmed reduction of hydrogen (H₂-TPR), and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (TPD-NH₃). The most active catalysts of ethylene oligomerization are NiO/B₂O₃–Al₂O₃, where Ni²⁺ cations chemically bounded to the acidic support are formed. NiO/MoO₃–Al₂O₃ activity in conversion of ethylene to propylene is provided by the presence on the surface of ethylene dimerization active sites, i.e., Ni²⁺ cations bounded with the support acidic sites, and active sites of metathesis based on monomolybdate species.