Process for making olefin oligomers and alkyl benzenes in the presence of mixed metal oxide catalysts

Provided is a process for oligomerizing n-olefins. The process has the step of reacting (oligomerizing) an amount of one or more n-olefins in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a two or more metal oxides at a temperature effective to effect oligomerization. The two or more metal oxides are represented by the formula MOn/M′On′. M and M′, are, independently, selected from the group consisting of Al, Ce, Fe, P, W, Zr, and combinations thereof. M and M′ are different metals or combinations of metals. n and n′ are positive numbers and vary stoichiometrically depending on the valency of M and M′, respectively. Provided is also a process for alkylation of an alkylatable aromatic compound. The process has the step of contacting an amount of one or more n-olefins with an amount of aromatic compound in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of the two or more metal oxides at a temperature effective to effect alkylation of the aromatic compound.