Higher trialkylaluminum compounds may be made by forming α-olefin by oligomerizing ethylene using a transition metal containing catalyst, reacting the α-olefins formed with a lower trialkylaluminum compound to form higher trialkylaluminum compound(s) These may optionally be oxidized, as with oxygen, to form higher trialkoxyaluminum compound, which in turn may be hydrolyzed to α-alcohols. In one variation of the process lower α-olefins and higher (relatively) α-alcohols may be formed and isolated. Higher trialkylaluminum compounds and α-alcohols are useful as chemical intermediates, while lower α-olefins are useful as monomers for polyolefins.