PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT ORGANOALUMINUM POLYMERS

Abstract: A process for producing a high molecular weight organoaluminum polymer by using an organoaluminum compound, water and an organic acid. The organoaluminum polymer obtained herein is suit­ able for preparing fibers.

Description: PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT ORGANOALUMINUM POLYMERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Materials of high strength and super heat resistance have recently been desired in various industrial fields. Among such materials are alumina fibers which are suitable for use in fabrication of composite materials in combination with metals, ceramics and so forth. A method of calcining fiber precursors made of organoaluminum polymers has received increasing attention for the production of superior alumina fibers. However, a method has not been developed yet which enables to produce with ease and further with high efficiency high molecular weight organoaluminum polymers which are suitable for use in production of such fiber precursors. That is, although it is known that organoaluminum polymers can be prepared by reacting organoaluminum compounds with water, high molecular weight organoaluminum polymers suitable for use in preparing, e.g., fibers are difficult to produce by conventional procedures. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a process for efficiently producing high molecular weight organoaluminum polymers suitable for use in preparing, e.g., fibers. The present invention relates to a process for producing a high molecular weight organoaluminum polymer by reacting an organoaluminum compound with water, which process is characterized in that as the organoaluminum compound a compound represented by the general formula (I): EMI2.1 (wherein X and Y may be the same or different and are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxyl group, or an acyloxyl group, and R1 is at least one organic radical) is used and an organic acid is used in an amount such that the total amount of the organic acid and the acyloxyl group contained in the organoaluminum compound is from 1.2 to 11 moles per mole of the organoaluminum compound. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The organoaluminum compounds as used herein, as described above, have the following general formula (I): EMI2.2 (wherein X and Y may be the same or different and are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxyl group, or an acyloxyl group, and R1 is at least one organic radical). Th alkyl group represented by X and Y includes a methyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group and its isomers (e.g., an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, and a tert-butyl I group), a n-pentyl group and its isomers, and a n-hexyl group and its isomers. The alkoxyl group includes a methoxyl group, an ethoxyl group, a n-propoxyl group, an iso-propoxyl group, a n-butoxyl group and its isomers, a n-pentoxyl group and its isomers, and a n-hexanoxyl group and its isomers. In addition, X and Y represent acyloxyl groups. When Y is an acyloxyl group, the organoaluminum compounds of the present invention are represented by the general formula (if): EMI3.1 When X and Y are both acyloxyl groups, the organoaluminum compounds are represented by the general formula (III): EMI3.2 In the general formulae (II) and (III), R2 and R3 each represent the same organic radical as for R1. R1, R2 and R3 may be the same or different. The organic radical includes a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic substituent, an alicyclic substituent, and an aromatic substituent. Specifically the saturated aliphatic substituent includes a methyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group and its isomers, a n-pentyl group and its isomers, and.a n-nonyl group a d its isomers. The alicyclic substituent includes a cyclohexyl group The unsaturated aliphatic substitnent includes an alkenyl group (e.g., a vinyl group, an allyl group, and a crotyl group), an unsaturated, mono-, di-, tri- or like, hydrocarbon group (e.g., a butadlenyl group and an octatrienyl group), and an alkinyl group (e.g., an ethinyl group and a propinyl group). The aromatic substituent includes various aryl groups such as a phenyl group, a tolyl group, an anisyl group, and a naphthyl group. The saturated aliphatic substituent, unsaturated aliphatic substituent, alicyclic substitnent, and aromatic substituent may contain at least one radical, such as a chlorine atom, an amino group, a hydraxyl group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxyl group, and an aryl group. In the process of the present invention, a mixture of two or more organoaluminum compounds in which R1, R2 and R3 are different can be used. In accordance with the process of the present invention, organic acids are added in the reaction of the organoaluminum compounds represented by the formula (I) and water. Most of the known organic acids can be used in the present invention. Suitable examples are saturated or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids (excluding formic acid), alicyclic carboxylic acids, aromatic monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids, and their derivatives containing a suEwtituent or substituents in the main chain thereof. Typical-examples of the saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids are acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, pivalic acid, octanoic acid, lauric acid, and stearic acid. Typical examples of the unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids are acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, and oleic acid. A typical example of the alicyclic carboxylic acids is cyclohexanecarboxylic acid. Typical examples of the aromatic monocarboxylic acids are succinic acid, glutaric acid, phthalic acid, and cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids. Typical examples of the hydroxycarboxylic acids are glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid. Typical examples of the substituents of the abovedescribed carboxylic acid derivatives are a chlorine atom, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxyl group, a phenyl group, and an aryl group. The type of the organic acid to be added in the reaction of the organoaluminum compound and water is preferably determined as follows: It is considered that amongst the organic radicals contained in the organoaluminum compound (i.e., R1, R1 and R2, or R1, -R2 and R3) those radicals producing the corresponding acids (R1COOH, R2COOH, or R3COOH) having the highest acidity remain in the final high molecular weight organoaluminum polymers. It is therefore preferred that organic acids identical to those corresponding to the organic radicals of the organoaluminum compound used herein or organic acids higher in acidity than those be used. For example, when the organic radicals of the organoaluminum compound to be used in the reaction are a propionyl group and an undecyl group, since the corresponding organic acids are propionic acid and lauric acid, it is preferred that propionic acid of higher acidity or organic acids having an acidity higher than that of propionic acid be used as the organic acids. Typical examples of these organic acids include hexanoic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, acetic acid, methacrylic acid, and acrylic acid. Although typical organic acids of the saturated or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids are listed above, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the above-described organic acids may be used singly or in combination with each other. In the practice of the present invention, the organoaluminum compound, water, and organic acid may be used as such or without use of any solvents. In general, however, it is preferred for them to be diluted with suitable organic solvents for convenience of handling and also for effective condensation polymerization. In particular, when solid acids are used as the organic acids, they are preferably used after dilution with organic solvents. Any organic solvents can be used as long as they are capable of dissolving the organoaluminum compounds, water, and organic acids and, furthermore, do not react therewith. Typical examples are hydrocarbon solvents such as benzene, toluene, xylene, tetralin, decalin, pentane, hexane, and heptane, ether solvents such as dioxane, diethyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, and anisol, tert-amine solvents such as pyridine, picoline, and triethylamine, and polar solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide and dimethylformamide. In the condensation polymerization reaction of the organoaluminum compound and water, water may be added at once but it is preferred to gradually add dropwise. It is also convenient for handling that water is used in the form of solutions with suitable organic solvents. In the case of the organic acids, they may be added at once but it is preferred for them to gradually add dropwise as in the case of water. The order in which the organoaluminum compound, water, and organic acid are added is not critical in the process of the present invention, but it is convenient to determine the order in which water and the organic acid are added to the organoaluminum compound. With regard to the order of addition of the organic acid, it may be added in the course of the condensation polymerization between the organoaluminum compound and water, or after the condensation polymerization, or water may be added after the organic acid is added to the organoaluminum compound. Furthermore, the following procedures (i), (ii) may be employed; (i) part of the organic acid is added in the course of the condensation polymerization between the organoaluminum compound and water, and then the remaining organic acid is added after completion of the condensation polymerization, (ii) the organic acid is added to the polymer formed by the condensation polymerization. With regard to the amount of the organic acid to be added in the process of the present invention, the organic acid is added in an amount such that the total amount of the organic acid and the acyloxyl group contained in the organoaluminum compound is from 1.2 to 11 moles, preferably from 1.4 to 3.5 moles per mole-of the organoaluminum compound. If the organic acid is added within the range as defined above, there can be formed organoaluminum polymers which have an increased molecular weight and thus are suitable for use in production of fibers. If the amount of the organic acid added is too small, an increase in the molecular weight of the organoaluminum polymer due to the addition of the organic acid cannot almost be expected. On the other hand, even if the organic acid is added excessively1 the molecular weight of the organoaluminum polymer is scarcely increased. The amount of the organic acid being added is determined based on the total amount of the organic acid and the acyloxyl group contained in the organoaluminum compound. Thus, when an organoaluminum compound having one acyloxyl group is used, the organic acid itself is added in an amount of from 0.2 to 10 moles, preferably from 0.5 to 2.5 moles per mole of the organoaluminum compound. In a case where the organoaluminum compound contains two acyloxyl groups as in the above-described general formula (II), the amount of the organic acid being added is determined as described above, and the organic acid itself is sufficient to be added in an amount ranging between 0.2 and 9 moles, preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 moles per mole of the organdaluminum compound. In a case where the organoaluminum compound contains three acyloxyl groups as in the formula (III), the amount of the organic acid being added is also determined as described above, and the organic acid itself is sufficient to be added in an amount of from 0.2 to 8 moles, preferably from 0.5 to 2.5 moles per mole of the organoaluminum compound. The amount of water to be used in the condensation polymerization of the organoaluminum compound is not critical and can be determined appropriately. Usually it is effective for the production of high molecular weight organoaluminum polymers that water be used in an amount of from 1.0 to 3.5 moles per mole of the organoaluminum compound. Especially preferred is the range of from 1,0 to 2.0 moles per mole of the organoaluminum compound. If the amount of water added is too small, there cannot be formed high molecular weight organoaluminum polymers. On the other hand, if the amount of water added is too large, the condensation polymerization reaction is accelerated, resulting in the formation of organoaluminum polymers which are excessively polymerized and cross-linked and thus are insoluble in water. However, when at least one of X and Y in the formula (I) represents an alkoxyl group, water can be added in an amount of less than 1.0 mole per mole of the organoaluminum compound, since water is formed in the condensation polymerization reaction. The reaction temperature in the process of the present invention is not critical as long as it is not more than 2000C. Preferably the reaction temperature is chosen depending on the type of the organoaluminum compound, organic acid, or organic solvent. In commercial practice of the present invention, it is economical for the condensation polymerization reaction to be performed at a temperature ranging between about 0 and 600C, The organoaluminum polymers produced by the process of the present invention have a reduced viscosity of from 0.4 to 5.5 (solvent: a mixed solvent of equal weights of tetrachloroethane and phenol; temperature: 300C; concentration: 0.5 grams per deciliter); that is, they are high moleculare weight polymers suitable for spinning and so forth. On the other hand, in accordance with conventional methods even if the amount of water added is from 1.0 to to 1.2 moles per mole of trialkyl aluminum such as triethyl aluminum, there can be formed only low molecular weight organoaluminum polymers having a reduced viscosity of 0.2 or less. The present invention is described in greater detail with reference to the following examples, although the present invention is not limited thereto. EXAMPLE 1 A mixture of 15 grams (58 millimoles) of diisobutylaluminum 3-ethoxypropionate prepared from triisobutylaluminum and ethoxypropionic acid, and 30 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran was placed in a three-necked flask equipped with a dropping funnel, a reflux condenser, and a three-way cock, and 10 milliliters of a tetrahydrofuran solution containing 1.04 grams (58 millimoles) of distilled water and 3.44 grams (29 millimoles) of ethoxypropionic acid were gradually added dropwise thereto and reacted at room temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere while stirring with a magnetic stirrer. On allowing the reaction mixture to stand overnight at room temperature, there was formed a uniform, clear and viscous solution. This solution showed a good stringiness at room temperature, said stringiness being a measure of fiber molding. The solution was then poured into 500 milliliters of hexane and reprecipitated to yield 11.6 grams of a white organoaluminum polymer in a powder form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer as determined in a mixed solvent of equal weights of phenol and-tetrahydrofuran (concentration: 0.5 gram per deciliter; temperature: 300C) was 1.01. EXAMPLE 2 In the same atmosphere and apparatus as used in Example 1, 1.26 grams (70 millimoles) of water and 2.4 grams (12 millimoles) of lauric acid were added to a mixture of 16.5 grams (58 millimoles) of diethylaluminum laurate, which had been prepared by reacting triethylaluminum and lauric acid, and 30 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran, and reacted at 60 C. In several hours, the reaction mixture became a uniform, viscous solution. The tetrahydrofuran was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the residue was washed with hexane and dried yielding 14 grams of a white organoaluminum polymer in a resin form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in tetrahydrofuran (concentration: 0.5 gram per deciliter; temperature: 30"C) was 2.41. EXAMPLE 3 The procedure of Example 2 was repeated wherein 6.03 grams (58 millimoles) of 3-methoxypropionic acid was used.as the organic acid in place of lauric acid. On allowing the reaction mixture at OOC for one day and flight, auniform, viscous solution was obtained as in Example 2. The solution was poured into a large amount of hexane to yield 13.5 grams of a white organoaluminum polymer in a powder form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in a mixed solvent of equal weights of phenol and tetrahydrofuran concentration: 0.5 gram per deciliter; temperature: 30"C) was 1.6. EXAMPLE 4 In the same atmosphere and apparatus as used in Example 1, 0.45 gram (25 millimoles) of water and 9.0 grams (125 millimoles) of propionic acid were added simultaneously to 5.8 grams (25 millimoles) of isopropoxy sec-butoxyaluminum propionate and 50 milliliters of a benzene solution and reacted at room temperature. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand overnight and then poured into hexane and reprecipitated to yield 3.81 grams of a polymer. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in a mixed solvent of equal weights of phenol and tetrahydrofuran (concentration: 0.5 gram per deciliter; -temperature: 300C) was 0.77. EXAMPLE 5 In the same atmosphere and apparatus as used in Example 1, 0.68 gram (38 millimoles) of water and 3.05 grams (25 millimoles) of benzoic acid were added to 20. milliliters of a decalin solution containing a mixture of diisopropoxyaluminum benzoate'and isopropoxy secbutoxyaluminum benzoate which had been prepared by reacting 5.45 grams (25 millimoles) of diisopropoxyaluminum sec-butoxide and 3.05 grams (25 millimoles) of benzoic acid, and reacted at 500C. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand overnight at 500C. Thereafter, the same procedure as in Example 4 was repeated to yield 5.3, grams of an organoaluminum polymer. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in dimethylformamide (concentration: 0.5 gram per deciliter; temperature: 300C) was 3.1. EXAMPLE 6 A mixture of 11.7 grams (58 millimoles) of diethylaluminum 3-ethoxypropionate prepared from triethyl aluminum and 3-ethoxypropionic acid and 40 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran was placed in a three-necked flask equipped with a dropping funnel, a reflux condenser, and a three-way cock, and 10 milliliters of a tetrahydrofuran solution containing 1.37 grams (12 millimoles) of 3ethoxypropionic acid was gradually added dropwise and reacted at room temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere. Then, 10 milliliters of a tetrahydrofuran solution containing 1.04 grams (58 millimoles) of distilled water was gradually added dropwise. The reaction mixture gradually become a viscous solution. The solution was allowed to stand at room temperature for one day and night, and then poured into 500 milliliters of hexane and reprecipitated to yield 10.8 grams of a white organoaluminum polymer in a powder form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in a mixed solvent of equal weights of phenol and tetrachloroethane (concentration: 0.4 gram per deciliter; temperature: 300C) was 0.40. EXAMPLE 7 In the same atmosphere and apparatus as used in Example 6, 23.2 grams (116 millimoles) of lauric acid was added to 80 milliliters of a toluene solution containing 20 grams (58 millimoles) .of diisopropoxyaluminum laurate and reacted at 600C for 2 hours. Then, 10 milliliters of a dioxane solution containing 1.26 grams (70 millimoles) of distilled water was added dropwise at the same temperature as above and reacted for additional 8 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled, and then poured into a large amount of pentane and reprecipitated to yield 21 grams of a white organoaluminum polymer in a powder form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in tetrahydrofuran (concentration: 0.5 gram per deciliter; temperature: 300C) was 1.8. EXAMPLE 8 In the same atmosphere and apparatus as used in Example 6; 10 milliliters of a tetrahydrofuran solution containing 1.04 grams (58 millimoles) of distilled water was gradually added dropwise at room temperature to 30 milliliters of a tetrahydrofuran solution containing 9.16 grams (58 millimoles) of diethylaluminum propionate prepared from triethyl aluminum and propionic acid. After the addition was completed, the mixture was stirred for several hours at the same temperature as above. Subsequently, 4.3 grams (58 millimoles) of propionic acid was added to the reaction mixture and was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. The mixture became a viscous solution, and it was then reprecipitated in a large amount of hexane to yield 8.9 grams of a white organoaluminum polymer in a powder form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in a mixed solvent of equal weights of phenol and tetrachloroethane (concentration: 0.4 gram per deciliter; temperature: 300C) was 5.05. EXAMPLE 9 In the same atmosphere, and apparatus as used in Example 6, 10 milliliters of a tetrahydrofuran solution containing 0.45 gram (25 millimoles) of distilled water was gradually added dropwise at -780C to a solution of 8.5 grams (25 millimoles) of diisobutylaluminum laurate in 20 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran, said diisobutylaluminum laurate being prepared from triisobutyl aluminum and lauric acid. After the addition was completed, the mixture was raised in temperature to room temperature and stirred at room temperature for additional 1 hour. Subsequently, 2.6 grams (25 millimoles) of 3-methoxypropionic acid was added, and the resulting mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 12 hours. The mixture became a viscous solution. This solution was reprecipitated in a large amount of hexane to yield 4.2 grams of a'white organoaluminum polymer in a powder form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in a mixed solvent of equal weights of phenol and tetrachloroethane (concentration: 0.4 gram per deciliter; temperature: 300C) was 0.97. EXAMPLE 10 In the same atmosphere and apparatus as used in Example 6, 0.45 gram (25 millimoles) of water was added to 50 milliliters of a benzene solution containing 5.8 grams (25 millimoles) of isopropoxy sec-butoxyaluminum propionate and reacted at room temperature for 1 hour. Subsequently, 9.0 grams (125 millimoles) of propionic acid was added and stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. Then the resulting mixture was poured into hexane and reprecipitated to yield 3.8 grams of a white polymer in a powder form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in a mixed solvent of equal weights of phenol and'tetrachloroethane (concentration: 0.5 gram per deciliter; temperature: 3O0C) was 0.83. EXAMPLE 11 In the same atmosphere and apparatus as used in Example 6, a mixed solvent of 58 millimoles of water and 20 milliliters of dioxane was added dropwise at 00C to 11.7 grams (58 millimoles) of diethylaluminum 3-ethoxypropionate prepared from triethylaluminum and 3-ethoxypropionic acid, and reacted with each other Then, the reaction mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for one day and night, and then poured into a large amount of hexane and reprecipitated to yield 9.2 grams of a product. This product was oligomer of poly(acyloxyaloxane) represented by EMI18.1 One gram (6.2xl0-3 unit mole) of the oligomer was added 'into 10 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran,- and was reacted with a prescribed amount of 3-ethoxypropionic acid at room temperature for 10 hours to obtain polymer product. The polymer products was poured into a large amount of hexane and isolated by reprecipitation. The reduced viscosity of the polymer products were determined The results obtained are shown in Table 1. Table 1 Run .IEPA]/CA1 unit].*l *2 *zsp/C .1 0.4 0.33 2 0.7 0.95 3 1.1 0.47 *1 Molar ratio of 3-ethoxypropionic acid (EPA) to aluminum unit in the oligomer. *2 Reduced viscosity determined in a mixed solvent of equal weight of phenol and tetra hydrofuran (concentration: 0.4 gram per deciliter; temperature: 300C). EXAMPLE 12 A mixture of 50 millimoles of ethylaluminum di-3ethoxypropionate, which had been prepared from a molecular equivalent of triethylaluminum and two molecular equivalents of 3-ethoxypropionic acid, and 50 milliliters of toluene was placed in a three-necked flask equipped with a dropping funnel, a reflux condenser, and a three-way cock, and 10 milliliters of a 1,4-dioxane solution containing 0.9 gram (50 millimoles) of distilled water and 1.18 grams (10 millimoles) of 3-ethoxypropionic acid were added dropwise and reacted at room temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere while stirring with a magnetic stirrer. In several hours, there was formed a uniform, ciear and viscous solution This solution showed a good stringiness, which was a measure of fiber-forming properties. The solution was poured into 500 milliliters of hexane and reprecipitated to yield 12.7 grams of a white arganoaluminum polymer in a powder form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in a mixed solvent of equal weights of phenol and tetrachloroethane (concentration: 0.5 gram per deciliter; temperature: 300C) was 0.76. EXAMPLE 13 To the viscous solution obtained in Example 12 was added 2.95 grams (25 millimoles) of 3-ethoxypropionic acid, and the resulting mixture was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. The mixture became more viscous than before the addition of the acid. Thereafter, reprecipitation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 12 to yield 13.1 grams of an organoaluminum polymer. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in the same solvent and under the same conditions as in Example 12 was 0.98. EXAMPLE 14 A mixture of 11.5 grams (50 milliliters) of isobutylaluminum dipropionate, which had been prepared by reacting a moleculare equivalent of triisobutyl aluminum and two molecular equivalents of propionic acid, and 50 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran was placed in the same apparatus as used in Example 12, and 0.9 gram (50 millimoles) of water and 20 milliliters of a tetrahydrofuran solution containing 3.7 grams (50 millimoles) of propionic acid were added dropwise and reacted at 500C while stirring. On maintaining the reaction mixture at 50 C for several hours, it became a viscous solution. The solution was poured into a large amount of hexane and reprecipitated to yield 11.4 grams of a white organoaluminum polymer in a powder form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in the same solvent and under the same conditions as in Example 12 was 1.8. EXAMPLE 15 A mixture of 24.2 grams t50 millimoles) of isopropoxyaluminum dilaurate, which had been prepared by reacting a molecular equivalent of aluminum isopropoxide and two molecular equivalents of lauric acid, and 100 milliliters of benzene was placed in the same apparatus as used in Example 12, and 1.1 grams (60 millimoles) of water was added dropwise and reacted at 800C in a nitrogen atmosphere. Then, 5 grams (25 millimoles) of lauric acid was added, and the resulting mixture was stirred at 800C for several hours and was further allowed to stand at room temperature for one day and night. The mixture became a uniform, viscous solution. The benzene was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the residue was washed with hexane and dried, yielding 21 grams of a white organoaluminum polymer in a resin form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in benzene (concentration: 0.5 gram per deciliter; temperature: 300C) was 5.05., EXAMPLE 16 A mixture -of 13.7 grams (50 millimoles) of isobutyl aluminum monopropionate mono-3-ethoxypropionate, which had been prepared by reacting a molecular equivalent of triisobutyl aluminum and a molecular equivalent of 3ethoxypropionic acid, and 30 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran was placed in the same apparatus as used in Example 12, and 1.8 grams (100 millimoles) of water and 50 milliliters of a tetrahydrofuran solution containing 7.4 grams (100 millimoles) of propionic acid were added dropwise while stirring at room temperature. Then the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 hours to yield a viscous solution. This viscous solution was poured into a large amount of hexane and reprecipitated to obtain 10.5 grams of an organoaluminum polymer. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in the same solvent and under the same conditions as in Example 12 was 1.3. EXAMPLE 17 A mixture of 22.8 grams (50 millimoles) of aluminum tricaprate, which had been prepared by reacting a molecular equivalent of ethylaluminum diisopropoxide and three molecular equivalents of capric acid, and 100 milliliters of toluene was placed in the same apparatus as used in Example 12, and 28.8 grams (100 millimoles) of capric acid was further added at 1000C in a nitrogen atmosphere while stirring. After 1 hour, 10 milliliters of a dioxane solution containing 0.9 gram (50 millimoles) of water was added dropwise, and the resulting mixture was stirred at the same temperature as above for 3 hours. There was formed a uniform, viscous solution. The toluene was distilled off under reduced pressure and the residue was washed with ethanol and dried, yielding 20.5 grams of a while organoaluminum polymer in a rubber form. The reduced viscosity of the polymer in toluene (concentration: 0.5 gram per deciliter; temperature: 300C) was 0.69.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A process for producing a high molecular weight organoaluminum polymer by reacting an organoaluminum compound with water, the improvement comprising using as reactants an organoaluminum compound represented by the general formula (Ij: EMI24.1 (wherein X and Y may be the same or different and are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxyl group, or an acyloxyl group, and R1 is at least one organic radical) and an organic acid in an amount such that the total amount of the organic acid and the acyloxyl group contained in the organoaluminum compound is from 1.2 to 11 moles per mole of the organoaluminum compound. 2. The process as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of the water to the organoaluminum compound is from 1:1 to 3.5:1. 3. The process as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the organic acid is added during the reaction of the organoaluminum compound and water. 4. The process as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the organic acid is added prior to the reaction of the organoaluminum compound and water. 5. The process as claimed in Claim 1 or 2,¯whereln the organic acid is added after the reaction of the organoaluminum compound and water. 6. The process as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein a part of the organic acid is added during the reaction of the organoaluminum compound and water, and the remainder is added after completion of the reaction. 7. The process as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the organoaluminum compound is a compound represented by the general formula (II): EMI25.1 (wherein X-and R1 are as defined above, and R2 is at least one organic radical). 8. The process as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the organoaluminum compound is a compound represented by the general formula (III): EMI25.2 (wherein R1 and R2 are as defined above, and R3 is at least one organic radical).

Inventors: ICHIMURA, TOSHIAKI, KIMURA, YOSHIHARU, TANIGUCHI, ISOJI
Applicants: IDEMITSU KOSAN COMPANY LIMITED
Application year: 1984
Main classification: C08G79
IPC codes: C08G79, C07F5