alphaolefins

Alpha-olefins are a class of alkenes in which the carbon–carbon double bond is at the alpha, or first, carbon. In other words, they are terminal or 1-alkenes with the general structure CH2=CH–(CH2)n–, where n is a nonnegative integer. Common examples include 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, and longer-chain members such as 1-dodecene and 1-tetradecene. They are often produced and used as mixtures for industrial purposes.

Industrial production and sources

Alpha-olefins are primarily produced by oligomerization or hydrocarbon processing methods that generate linear terminal alkenes. One well-known route is the Shell Higher Olefin Process (SHOP), which produces higher C8–C14 alpha-olefins from ethylene-based oligomerization. Other processes involve selective oligomerization of ethylene or downstream processing of waxes and napthenic feeds to yield desired chain lengths. The result is a suite of predominantly linear, unbranched 1-alkenes that serve as versatile building blocks in chemical manufacturing.

Uses

The principal use of alpha-olefins is as co-monomers in polyolefin production, notably for creating linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and other specialty polyolefins. Their terminal double bond allows convenient functionalization and incorporation into polymer chains. Beyond plastics, alpha-olefins are precursors to surfactants (alpha-olefin sulfonates), lubricants and synthetic hydrocarbons (including polyalphaolefins used as high-performance lubricants), detergents, plasticizers, and various chemical intermediates.

Properties and safety

Alpha-olefins are typically colorless liquids or waxy solids with moderate to low boiling points depending on chain length. They are flammable hydrocarbons and can form peroxides upon long-term exposure to air; standard hydrocarbon handling precautions apply. Their reactive terminal double bond enables straightforward chemical modification and polymerization, underpinning their commercial prominence.