Polyalpha-Olefin Compositions and Processes to Produce the Same

• US 20090005279A1
• Filed: 06/02/2006
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc. (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc. (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Chee, Chia Shian, Walzer, John F. JR., Canich, Jo Ann, Lo, Frederick Yip-Kwai, Rucker, Steven P., Baugh, Lisa Saunders, Wu, Margaret May-Som, Jiang, Peijun, Jackson, Andrew, Yang, Norman, Tirmizi, Shakeel, Lee, Gordon H., Hagemeister, Mark Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,748,361 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 508/591
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 11/02 Alkenes
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 2/02 by addition between unsaturated hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 2/34 Metal-hydrocarbon complexes
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 5/05 Partial hydrogenation
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 10/14 Monomers containing five or more carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 110/14 Monomers containing five or more carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 210/04 Monomers containing three or four carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 210/14 Monomers containing five or more carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 2500/02 Low molecular weight, e.g. <100,000 Da.
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 2500/03 Narrow molecular weight distribution, i.e. Mw/Mn < 3
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 2500/17 Viscosity
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 2500/20 Activation energy or enthalpy
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 4/65908 in combination with an ionising compound other than alumoxane, e.g. (C6F5)4B-X+
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 4/65912 in combination with an organoaluminium compound
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 4/65925 two cyclopentadienyl rings being mutually non-bridged
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 4/65927 two cyclopentadienyl rings being mutually bridged
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 107/10 containing aliphatic monomer having more than 4 carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 143/08 containing aliphatic monomer having more than 4 carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2205/026 Butene
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2205/0265 used as base material
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2205/028 : containing aliphatic monomers having more than four carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2205/0285 : used as base material
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/011 : Cloud point
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/013 : Iodine value
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/019 : Shear stability
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/02 : Viscosity; Viscosity index
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/04 : Molecular weight; Molecular weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/065 : Saturated Compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/067 : Unsaturated Compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/071 : Branched chain compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2070/00 : Specific manufacturing methods for lubricant compositions

Abstract

This invention relates to a polyalpha-olefin (and hydrogenated analogs thereof) comprising more than 50 mole % of one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomers where the polyalpha-olefin has: a) 40 mole % or more of mm triads, b) a Bromine number of Y or greater, where Y is equal to 89.92*(V)′°5863, where V is the Kinematic Viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 100° C. in cSt, and c) 1,2 disubstituted olefins present at 7 mole % or more, preferably having Z mole % or more of units represented by the formula: where j, k and m are each, independently, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22, n is an integer from 1 to 350, and where Z=8.420*Log(V)−4.048, where V is the kinematic viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 1000 C in cSt This invention also relates to process to produce such polyalpha-olefins.

Claims

1. A polyalpha-olefin comprising more than 50 mole % of one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomers where the polyalpha-olefin has:

a) 40 mole % or more of mm triads,

b) a Bromine number of Y or greater, where Y is equal to 89.92*(V)<sup>−

0.5863</sup>, where V is the Kinematic Viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 100°

C. in cSt, and

c) 1,2 disubstituted olefins present at 7 mole % or more.

13. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 1, wherein the polyalpha-olefin has an Mw/Mn of greater than 1 to 2.5.

5. A polyalpha-olefin comprising more than 50 mole % of one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomers where the polyalpha-olefin has Z mole % or more of units represented by the formula:

where j, k and m are each, independently, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22, n is an integer from 1 to 350, and

where Z=8.420*Log(V)−

4.048, where V is the kinematic viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 100°

C. in cSt.

2. A polyalpha-olefin as set forth in claim 5, where the polyalpha-olefin has:

a) 40 mole % or more of mm triads, and

b) a Bromine number of 1.8 or less.

3. A polyalpha-olefin as set forth in claim 5 where the polyalpha-olefin has:

a) less than 40 mole % of mm triads, and

b) a Bromine number of 1.8 or less.

4. A polyalpha-olefin as set forth in claim 5 where the polyalpha-olefin has:

a) less than 40 mole % of mm triads, and

b) a Bromine number of Y or greater, where Y=89.92×

(V)<sup>−

0.5363</sup>, where V is the kinematic viscosity in cSt measured at 100°

C.

10. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is polydecene having an Mw/Mn of between 1 and 2.5.

11. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Bromine number of 1.8 or more.

14. The polyalpha-olefin of any of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Kinematic viscosity at 100°

C. of from 1.5 to 5000 cSt.

15. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Kinematic viscosity at 100°

C. of from 2 to 3000 cSt.

16. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Kinematic viscosity at 100°

C. of from 3 to 1000 cSt.

17. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Kinematic viscosity at 40°

C. of from 4 to 100,000 cSt.

18. The polyalpha-olefin of any of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Kinematic viscosity at 40°

C. of from 6 to 50,000 cSt.

19. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Kinematic viscosity at 40°

C. of from 10 to 30,000 cSt.

20. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Viscosity Index of 100 or more.

21. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Viscosity Index of 120 or more.

22. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Viscosity Index of 130 or more.

23. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Viscosity Index between 120 and 450.

24. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a pour point of 0°

C. or less.

25. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a pour point of −

30°

C. or less.

26. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a pour point between −

10°

C. and −

80°

C.

27. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a pour point between −

15°

C. and −

70°

C.

28. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 g/mol or less.

29. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a weight average molecular weight of 100 to 100,000 g/mol.

30. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a weight average molecular weight of 280 to 50,000 g/mol.

31. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a weight average molecular weight of 336 to 40,000 g/mol.

32. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a KV₁₀₀ of less than 200 cSt.

33. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 where the monomers having 5 to 24 carbon atoms are present at 55 mole % or more.

34. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin(s) are selected from the group consisting of 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 1-undecene, 1-dodecene, 1-tridecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-pentadecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-heptadecene, 1-octadecene, 1-nonadecene, 1-eicosene, 1-uneicosene, 1-docosene, 1-tricosene, 1-tetracosene, 1-pentacosene, 1-hexacosene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 4-phenyl-1-butene, and 5-phenyl-1-pentene.

35. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin(s) are selected from the group consisting of 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 1-undecene, 1-dodecene, 1-tridecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-pentadecene and 1-hexadecene.

36. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin(s) are selected from the group consisting of 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene and 1-hexadecene.

37. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin comprises octene, decene, and dodecene.

38. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a dielectric constant of 2.5 or less (1 kHz at 23°

C.).

39. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has:

a) a kinematic viscosity of from 3 to 3000 cSt at 100°

C., and

b) a viscosity index of from 110 to 400, and

c) a pour point below −

10°

C., and

d) a flash point of 150°

C. or more, and

e) less than 6% viscosity loss in a tapered roller bearing shear stability test.

40. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has

a) a kinematic viscosity of from 3 to 3000 cSt at 100°

C., and

b) a viscosity index of from 135 to 400, and

c) a pour point below −

10°

C., and

d) a flash point of 200°

C. or more, and

e) less than 3% viscosity loss in a tapered roller bearing shear stability test.

41. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a specific gravity of 0.75 to 0.96 g/cm³.

42. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 where ethylene, propylene and butene monomers are present at less than 1 weight %.

43. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 where the monomers having 5 to 24 carbon atoms are present at 60 mole % or more.

44. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 where the monomers having 5 to 24 carbon atoms are present at 70 mole % or more.

45. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 where the monomers having 5 to 24 carbon atoms are present at 80 mole % or more.

46. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 where the monomers having 5 to 24 carbon atoms are present at 90 mole % or more.

47. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Bromine number of 3 or more.

48. The polyalpha-olefin of claim 5 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has a Bromine number of 5 or more.

49. A lubricating composition comprising the polyalpha-olefin of any of claim 5.

101. A process to reduce the mole % of mm triad groups in a polyalpha-olefin comprising contacting the polymer of claim 5 with a hydrogenation catalyst and hydrogen and recovering a polyalphaolefin having from 1 to 80% less mm triad groups than the polyalpha-olefin prior to contact with the hydrogen and hydrogenation catalyst.

102. The process of claim 101 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has from 10 to 75% less mm triads.

103. The process of claim 101 wherein the polyalpha-olefin has from 25 to 70% less mm triads.

105. A lubricant comprising

a conventional base stock;

and

a polyalphaolefin comprising the composition of claim 5.

106. The lubricant according to claim 105, wherein the conventional base stock is selected from a Group I, Group II, Group III, Group IV, Group V or GTL lube base stock and mixtures thereof.

107. The lubricant according to claim 105 further comprising one or more of:

thickeners, antioxidants, inhibitor packages, anti-rust additives, dispersants, detergents, friction modifiers, traction improving additives, demulsifiers, defoamants, chromophores (dyes), viscosity index improvers, pour point depressants, anti-wear additives, extreme-pressure additives, and/or haze inhibitors.

108. The lubricant according to claim 105 where the polyalpha-olefins are present in the lubricant at from 0.01 wt % to 95 wt %, based upon the weight of the lubricant.

112. The process of claim 101 wherein the hydrogenated polyalpha-olefin has from 25 to 70 mole % mm triads and a bromine number of less than 1.

113. The process of claim 101 wherein the hydrogenated polyalpha-olefin has from 25 to 70 mole % mm triads and a bromine number of less than 0.5.

6. A polyalpha-olefin comprising more than 50 mole % of one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomers where the polyalpha-olefin has 40 mole % or more of mm triads and less than 300 ppm of a Group 4 metal.

7. A polyalpha-olefin comprising more than 50 mole % of one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomers where the polyalpha-olefin has 40 mole % or more of mm triads and less than 100 ppm of a Group 13 metal.

8. A polyalpha-olefin comprising more than 50 mole % of one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomers where the polyalpha-olefin has 40 mole % or more of mm triads and less than 600 ppm of aluminum.

9. A polyalpha-olefin comprising more than 50 mole % C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomers and having an Mw of 100,000 or less and an Mw/Mn of greater than 1 and less than 2.5.

12. The polyalpha-olefin of claim wherein the polyalpha-olefin has an Mw/Mn of greater than 1 to 3.5.

51. A process to produce a polyalpha-olefin comprising:

1) contacting a feed stream comprising at least one alpha-olefin monomer having 5 to 24 carbon atoms with a metallocene catalyst compound and a activator, and optionally an alkyl-aluminum compound, under polymerization conditions wherein the alpha-olefin monomer having 5 to 24 carbon atoms is present at 10 volume % or more (based upon the total volume of the catalyst, monomers, and any diluents or solvents present) in the reactor and where the feed stream comprises less than 600 ppm of heteroatom containing compounds; and

2) obtaining a polyalpha-olefin comprising at least 50 mole % of a C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomer where the polyalpha-olefin has Kinematic viscosity at 100°

C. of 5000 cSt or less.

50. A process to produce a polyalpha-olefin according to claim 51, whereinthe metallocene catalyst compound is a racemic metallocene catalyst compoundwherein hydrogen, if present during polymerization, is present at a partial pressure of 200 psi (1379 kPa) or less, based upon the total pressure of the reactor;

and

3) the polyalpha-olefin comprises Z mole % or more of units represented by the formula;

where j, k and mare each, independently, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22, n is an integer from 1 to 350, and

where Z=8.420*Log(V)−

4.048, where V is the kinematic viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 100°

C. in cSt.

52. A process to produce a polyalpha-olefin in accordance with claim 51, whereinthe metallocene catalyst compound is a racemic metallocene catalyst compound, the activator is an alumoxane activator, and optionally an alkyl-aluminum compound,where hydrogen, if present during polymerization, is present at a partial pressure of 1379 kPa or less, based upon the total pressure of the reactor;

and

3) the polyalpha-olefin comprises Z mole % or more of units represented by the formula;

where j, k and mare each, independently, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22, n is an integer from 1 to 350, and

where Z=8.420*Log(V)−

4.048, where V is the kinematic viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 100°

C. in cSt.

53. The process of claim 51 further comprisingoptionally treating the polyalpha-olefin to reduce heteroatom containing compounds to less than 600 ppm,optionally separating the polyalpha-olefins from solvents or diluents;

3) contacting the polyalpha-olefin with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst

4) obtaining a polyalpha-olefin having a bromine number less than 1.8.

54. The process of claim 53 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is treated to remove heteroatom containing compounds prior to contacting with the hydrogen and or the hydrogenation catalyst.

55. The process of claim 54 wherein the treated polyalpha-olefin comprises 100 ppm of heteroatom containing compounds or less.

56. The process of claim 54 wherein the treated polyalpha-olefin comprises 10 ppm of heteroatom containing compounds or less.

57. The process of claim 52 where the activator comprises methylalumoxane and or modified methylalumoxane.

58. The process of claim 51 wherein the activator comprises one or more of N,N-dimethylanilinium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dialkylphenylanilinium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate (where the alkyl is a C1 to C18 alkyl group), trityl tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tris(pentafluorophenyl)boron, tri-alkylammonium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate (where the alkyl is a C1 to C18 alkyl group), tetra-alkylammonium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate (where the alkyl is a C1 to C18 alkyl group).

59. The process of claim 51 wherein the metallocene comprises one or more of dimethylsilylbis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride;

isopropylidenebis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride;

rac-ethylenebis(1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride;

rac-dimethylsilylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)zirconium dichloride;

diphenylmethylidene(cylcopentadienyl) (9-fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride;

bis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride;

cyclopentadienyl(indenyl)zirconium dichloride;

bis(1,2,4-trimethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride;

bis(1,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride;

bis(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride;

or bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride.

60. The process of claim 51 where an alkylaluminum compound is present and the alkylaluminum compound is represented by the formula:

R₃Al, where each R is, independently, selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyle, n-propyl, iso-propyl, iso-butyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, iso-pentyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl, iso-hexyl, n-heptyl, iso-heptyl, n-octyl, iso-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-pentadecy, n-hexadecyl, n-heptadecyl, n-octadecyl, and their iso-analogs.

61. The process of claim 51 wherein the activator is a non-coordinating anion activator.

62. The process of claim 51 wherein the process is a continuous process comprising:

a) continuously introducing a feed stream comprising at least 10 mole % of the one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefins into a reactor,

b) continuously introducing the metallocene compound and the activator into the reactor,

c) optionally continuously introducing co-activator into the reactor, and

d) continuously withdrawing the polyalpha-olefin from the reactor.

63. The process of claim 62 further comprising maintaining a concentration of hydrogen in the reactor of 1000 ppm or less by weight.

64. The process of claim 62 wherein the process further comprises:

1) optionally, continuously treating the polyalpha-olefin to reduce heteroatom containing compounds to less than 600 ppm,

2) continuously contacting the polyalpha-olefin with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst

3) continuously obtaining a polyalpha-olefin having a bromine number less than 1.8.

65. The process of claim 51 wherein two monomers having 5 to 18 carbon atoms are present in the polyalpha-olefin.

66. The process of claim 51 wherein the temperature in the reactor is from −

10°

C. to 250°

C.

67. The process of claim 66 wherein the temperature is from 30°

C. to 220°

C.

68. The process of claim 66 wherein the temperature is from 50°

C. to 180°

C.

69. The process of claim 66 wherein the temperature is from 70°

C. to 150°

C.

70. The process of claim 51 wherein the pressure in the reactor is from 0.1 to 100 atmospheres.

71. The process of claim 70 wherein the pressure is from 0.5 to 75 atmospheres.

72. The process of claim 70 wherein the pressure is from 1 to 50 atmospheres.

73. The process of claim 51 wherein the monomers, metallocene and activator are contacted for a residence time of 1 second to 100 hours.

74. The process of claim 73 wherein the monomers, metallocene and activator are contacted for a residence time of 30 seconds to 50 hours.

75. The process of claim 73 wherein the monomers, metallocene and activator are contacted for a residence time of 2 minutes to 6 hours.

76. The process of claim 73 wherein the monomers, metallocene and activator are contacted for a residence time of 1 minute to 1 hour.

77. The process of claim 51 wherein solvent or diluent is present.

78. The process of claim 77 wherein the solvent or diluent is selected from the group consisting of butanes, pentanes, hexanes, heptanes, octanes, nonanes, decanes, undecanes, dodecanes, tridecanes, tetradecanes, pentadecanes, hexadecanes, benzene, toluene, o-xylenes, m-xylenes, p-xylenes, ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, and n-butylbenzene.

79. The process of claim 77 wherein the solvent or diluent comprises toluene and or xylenes and or ethylbenzene.

80. The process of claim 51 wherein the monomers are contacted with the metallocene compound and the activator in a reactor and the reactor is a continuous stirred tank reactor.

81. The process of claim 51 wherein the monomers are contacted with the metallocene compound and the activator in a reactor and the reactor is a continuous tubular reactor.

82. The process of claim 51 wherein the monomers are contacted with the metallocene compound and the activator in a reactor and the reactor is a batch reactor.

83. The process of claim 73 where co-activator is present where the monomers are contacted with the metallocene compound and the activator.

84. The process of claim 51 where the monomers are contacted with the metallocene compound and the activator in a solution phase.

85. The process of claim 51 where the monomers are contacted with the metallocene compound and the activator in a slurry phase.

86. The process of claim 51 wherein the monomers are contacted with an alkylaluminum compound prior to being introduced into the reactor.

87. The process of claim 51 where the metallocene and or activator are combined with an alkylaluminum compound prior to entering the reactor.

88. The process of claim 86 where the alkylaluminum compound is represented by the formula:

R₃Al, where each R is independently a C1 to C20 alkyl group and can be n-alkyl or iso-alkyl group.

89. The process of claim 88 wherein the R groups are independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, n-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, n-pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, n-hexyl, heptyl, octyl, isocotyl, n-octyl, nonyl, isononyl, n-nonyl, decyl, isodecyl, n-cecyl, undecyl, isoundecyl, n-undecyl, dodecyl, isododecyl, and n-dodecyl.

90. The process of claim 88 where the R groups are independently selected from the group consisting of isobutyl, n-octyl, n-hexyl, and n-dodecyl.

91. The process of claim 51 where an alkylaluminum compound is present and the compound is selected from tri-isobutylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum, tri-n-hexylaluminum, and tri-n-dodecylaluminum.

92. The process of claim 51 where in the polyalpha-olefin is contacted with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst selected from the group consisting of supported Group 7, 8, 9, and 10 metals.

93. The process of claim 51 where in the polyalpha-olefin is contacted with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst selected from the group consisting of one or more of Ni, Pd, Pt, Co, Rh, Fe, Ru, Os, Cr, Mo, and W, supported on silica, alumina, clay, titania, zirconia, or mixed metal oxide supports.

94. The process of claim 93 where the hydrogenation catalyst is nickel supported on keisleghur, silica, alumina, clay or silica-alumina.

95. The process of claim 51 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is contacted with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst at a temperature from 25 to 350°

C.

96. The process of claim 51 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is contacted with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst at a temperature from 100 to 300°

C.

97. The process of claim 51 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is contacted with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst for a time period from 5 minutes to 100 hours.

98. The process of claim 51 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is contacted with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst for a time period from 5 minutes to 24 hours.

99. The process of claim 51 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is contacted with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst at a hydrogen pressure of from 25 psi to 2500 psi.

100. The process of claim 51 wherein the polyalpha-olefin is contacted with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst at a hydrogen pressure of from 100 to 2000 psi.

104. The process of claim 51 where the feed olefins are contacted with molecular sieve, activated alumina, silica gel, and or purifying clays to reduce the heteroatom-containing compounds in the feed to below 100 ppm.

109. The process of claim 51 where the feed olefins are contacted with molecular sieve, activated alumina, silica gel, oxygen removing catalyst, and or purifying clays to reduce the heteroatom-containing compounds in the feed to below 50 ppm.

110. The process of claim 51 where the feed olefins are contacted with molecular sieve, activated alumina, silica gel, oxygen removing catalyst, and or purifying clays to reduce the heteroatom-containing compounds in the feed to below 10 ppm.

111. The process of claim 93 where the hydrogenation catalyst is supported Co and Mo and further comprises promoters selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pt, Pd, Rh, Fe, Ru, Os, Cr, and W.

114. The process of claim 51 where the metallocene is selected from the group consisting of racemic metallocenes, meso metallocenesand or un-bridged metallocenes.

115. The process of claim 51 where the metallocene is selected from the group consisting of rac-dimethylsilylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)ZrX₂, meso-ethylidenebis(indenyl)ZrX₂, (R_nCp)₂ZrX₂ or (R_mInd)₂ZrX₂), ethylidenebis(R_nCp)₂ZrX₂, dimethylsilylbis(R_nCp)₂ZrX₂, ethylidenebis(R_nInd)₂ZrX₂, dimethylsilylbis(R_nInd)₂ZrX₂,

where X is a halogen, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or a C1 to C20 alkyl, Cp is a cyclopentadienyl ring, R is a C1 to C20 alkyl group, n is a number denoting the degree of substitution of Cp and is a number from 0 to 5, Ind is an indenyl ring, m is a number denoting the degree of substitution of Ind and is a number from 0 to 7.

116. The process of claim 51 where the metallocene is rac-dimethylsilylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)zirconiumdimethyl, and or meso-ethylidenebis(indenyl)zirconiumdimethyl.

117. The process of claim 51 where the metallocene is a Y₂methylidene(R_nCp)(R_mFlu)ZrX₂ or Y₂silyl(R_nCp)(R_mFlu)ZrX₂ where Y is independently a C1 to C20 alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, X is a halogen, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or a C1 to C20 alkyl, Cp is a cyclopentadienyl ring, R is a C1 to C20 alkyl group, n is a number denoting the degree of substitution of Cp and is a number from 0 to 5, Flu is a fluorenyl ring, m is a number denoting the degree of substitution of Flu and is a number from 0 to 9.

118. The process of claim 51 wherein the process is a bulk process.

119. The process of claim 51 wherein ethylene is present in the monomer feed at from 0.5 to 10 mole %.

120. A polyalpha-olefin comprising at least 50 mole % 5 to 24 carbon atoms and from 0.5 to 20 mole % ethylene, where at least 80% of the ethylene present in the polyalpha-olefin is present in runs of 1 to 35 carbons or less as measured by Carbon 13 NMR.