The mechanism of α-olefin hydroalumination by HAlBu i 2 , ClAlBu i 2 , and AlBu i 3 in the presence of Cp 2 ZrCl 2 catalyst has been studied. It was established that the key intermediate of the reaction is a bimetallic complex [Cp 2 ZrH 2 · ClAlBu i 2 ] 2 , which reacts with olefins and yields higher diisobutylalkylalanes. In parallel with this stage, the key complex can readily react with XAlBu i 2 (X = H, Cl, Bu i ) and form a stable trihydride complex Cp 2 ZrH 2 · ClAlBu i 2 · HAlBu i 2 , which does not exhibit reactivity in olefin hydroalumination. A kinetic model of α-olefin hydroalumination with HAlBu i 2 and AlBu i 3 has been developed. The model explains the causes of the low stability of the key intermediate [Cp 2 ZrH 2 · ClAlBu i 2 ] 2 and of the different activities of organoaluminum compounds (OACs) in the olefin hydroalumination reaction. Moreover, the model gives information about the limit stages of the reaction and explains the influence of the length of the initial olefins on the rate of the whole catalytic process. C 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet
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