GB849553A - Polymerisation of alpha-unsaturated olefins - Google Patents

Abstract

An alpha-olefin of formula H2C = CHR, where R is an alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group, is polymerised in the presence of a catalyst mixture comprising an aluminium alkyl of formula: <FORM:0849553/IV(a)/1> where R, R1, or R11 is an alkyl group of at leas two carbon atoms, while R1 or R11 may also be chlorine and a metal halide, and of an inert hydrocarbon solvent at 5 DEG to 75 DEG C. It is preferred that R is an alkyl group of at least four carbon atoms, while R1 and R11 are chlorine or R. Specified olefins are propylene, butene-1, 3-methyl butene-1, 4-methyl butene-1, dodecene-1, octadecene-1, styrene, or methyl styrene and allyl benzene. Specified aluminium compounds are the triethyl, tri-propyl, tri-isobutyl, tri-octyl-tri-dodecyl, diisobutyl chloride and isobutyl dichloride derivatives. Toluene, benzene, methyl cyclohexane, hexane, heptane and purified kerosene are specified solvents. Titanium tetrachloride is the preferred metal chloride while vanadium and zirconium chlorides are also listed. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 810,023.ALSO:A catalyst mixture for alpha-olefin polymerization comprises an aluminium alkyl of formula <FORM:0849553/III/1> where R is an alkyl group of at least two carbon atoms and R1 and R11 are chlorine or R, and a metal halide. It is preferred that the alkyl groups contain at least four carbon atoms. Specified aluminium compounds are the triethyl, tripropyl, tri-isobutyl, tri-octyl, tri-dodecyl, diisobutyl chloride and isobutyl dichloride derivatives. Titanium tetrachloride and vanadium and zirconium chlorides are specified metal halides. It is preferred that the catalyst components are used in the ratio of from 1 to 12 mols of the alkyl aluminium compound (especially 1 to 4 mols) per mol of metal halide. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 810,023.