GB899946A - Resinous poly-ª--olefines and their preparation - Google Patents

Abstract

Resinous olefin polymers are made from monomers having the general formula: CH2=CH-(CH2)nR wherein n is 1 or 2 and R is an alicyclic or unsaturated alicyclic group, containing from 5 to 9 carbon atoms. Monomers specified are various 4-alicyclic-1-butenes and 3-alicyclic-1-propenes, e.g. cyclohexyl, -pentyl and -pentadienyl derivatives. The monomers are polymerized at 20 DEG -250 DEG C. using a catalyst comprising a Ti, Cr, V, Zr or Mo halide and an alkyl of a metal of Group I, II or III of the Periodic Table. Catalyst components specified are titanium tri- and tetrachloride, titanium diethoxy dichloride, vanadium tetrachloride, molybdenum pentachloride, triethylaluminium, ethylmagnesium bromide, amylsodium and butyllithium. The polymerization is preferably carried out at raised pressures and under an inert atmosphere, e.g. nitrogen, and in an inert organic solvent, e.g. pentane, hexane, heptane or higher alkanes. The polymer may be separated after the reaction by pouring into a lower alcohol, e.g. methanol, and may be washed with acidified methanol and water. The polymers can be dissolved, e.g. in hot tetralin, to form viscous dopes which can be spun into fibres and filaments which may be stretched and the polymers can also be extruded into sheets and films, e.g. photographic film supports, and may be moulded. Certain polymers which contain unsaturated substituents, e.g. cyclohexenyl, cyclopentenyl or cyclopentadienyl groups can be obtained in rubbery form, especially by using a dialkoxy titanium dichloride as a catalyst component, and these may then be cross-linked.