Embodiments disclosed herein provide processes for upgrading the hexene stream to valuable end products, including ethers, high purity 1-hexene, and, alternatively, high purity isohexene. Hexene upgrading may be performed in embodiments disclosed herein by first removing isohexene from the admixture. The isohexene may undergo etherification with one or more alcohols, facilitating the separation of the isohexene (in the form of an ether) from the normal hexenes. Second, the normal hexenes may be isomerized to convert internal hexene olefins (2-hexenes and 3-hexenes) to the desired alpha olefin, 1-hexene. The 1-hexene may then be separated from unreacted components to yield a high purity 1-hexene product.