1-Dodecene is an alkene with the formula C10H21CH=CH2, consisting of a chain of twelve carbon atoms ending with a double bond.
Alpha-olefins are distinguished by having a double bond at the primary or alpha (α) position.
This location of a double bond enhances the reactivity of the compound and makes it useful for a number of applications, especially for the production of detergents.
In the Shell Higher Olefin Process (SHOP), a nickel catalyst is employed.
Similar to the SHOP method, these processes rely on ethylene insertion into an Al-alkyl bond competitively with beta-hydride elimination to give the alpha-olefin, regenerating an aluminium hydride.