Late transition metal catalysts for olefin oligomerizations

1234 As series of novel late transition metal catalysts for olefin oligomerization have been invented. The catalyst system includes a Group 8, 9 or 10 transition metal and an activator. The catalysts demonstrate high activity and selectivity for linear α-olefins. Preferably this invention relates to a catalyst system comprising the reaction product of: (a) an activator selected from the group consisting of alumoxane, aluminum alkyl, alkyl aluminum halide, alkylaluminum alkoxide, discrete ionic activator, and Lewis acid; and (b) a catalyst precursor wherein the catalyst precursor has the following formula: wherein (i) M is a Group-8, -9 , or -10 transition metal; (ii) N is nitrogen (iii) P is phosphorus; (iv) R, R, R, and Rare independently hydrocarbyl radicals; (v) Y is a hydrocarbyl bridge comprising a backbone wherein the backbone comprises a chain that is four or more carbon atoms long; (vi) X are independently abstractable ligands.