Patent ID: 6111147
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: C08G

Abstract:
A process for preparing polytetrahydrofuran, copolymers of tetrahydrofuran and 2-butyne-1,4-diol, diesters of these polymers with C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 -monocarboxylic acids or monoesters of these polymers with C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -monocarboxylic acids, which comprises polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in the presence of at least one of the telogens water, 1,4-butanediol, 2-butyne-1,4-diol, polytetrahydrofuran having a molecular weight of from 200 to 700 Dalton, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -monocarboxylic acid or an anhydride of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 -monocarboxylic acid or a mixture thereof over a heterogeneous supported catalyst, which catalyst comprises a catalytically active amount of an oxygen-containing molybdenum or tungsten compound or both on an oxidic support material and which has been calcined at from 500.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. after application of the precursor compounds of the oxygen-containing molybdenum and/or tungsten compounds onto the support material precursor, wherein the catalyst is activated by treatment with a reducing agent prior to use as a polymerization catalyst.