linear 1 - butene dimers and other linear alpha - olefin dimers are manufactured in high yield and with high selectivity by coupling of alpha - olefins . the coupling is accomplished by contacting alpha olefins with an iron - based catalyst activated with an aluminum - based co - catalyst . the catalyst is structured to preclude formation of multiple dimer products , and the byproducts of the olefin coupling consist almost exclusively of methyl branched olefin dimers . the dimers have potentially diverse use in areas stretching form pharmaceuticals to plastics . linear 1 - butene dimers may be particularly useful in the production of plasticizer alcohols which may in turn be used to manufacture high quality plastics with reduced leaching .