Patent GB-849789-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the catalytic polymerisation of olefines and to catalysts therefor
Inventor: FLETCHER KENNETH LEONARD
IPC: C08F10/00
Filed: 1958-10-20
Abstract: Olefins are polymerised at low pressures in the presence of a catalyst formed by mixing (1) a compound of a metal of Group 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a or 8 of the Periodic Classification of the general formula: MeXn(OR)m or MeOXn(OR)m, in which Me represents the metal, X represents a halogen atom, R represents the residue of an aliphatic, aromatic or alicyclic radical or a derivative thereof, m is 1 or 2 and n is an integer such that m + n is less than the normal maximum valency of the metal (Me) with (2) a compound of a metal of Group 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a or 8 in which compound said metal is in a higher valency state than it is in the compound MeXn(OR)m or MeOXn(OR)m, and with (3) an organometallic compound of a metal of Group 1, 2 or 3.  The catalyst may comprise one or more of each of the compounds referred to under (1), (2) and (3) above and the compounds referred to under (1) and (2) are preferably of the same metal. The olefin may be ethylene, propylene, butylene, butadiene or styrene or a mixture of ethylene and another olefin.  The catalyst component (1) may comprise the product obtained by reacting a halogen containing compound of the metal with an aluminium derivative of an organic hydroxy compound. Specified catalyst components of type (1) include mono-halo titanium monoalkoxides and mono-aryloxides, trivalent compounds of Group 4a containing a phenoxy and two halogen groups, e.g. titanium dichlorooctoxide. Titanium tetrachloride and vanadium chloro-alkoxides are specified as catalyst components of type (2). The organometallic component (3) is preferably an organo-aluminium compound and a list of aluminium alkyls and alkyl chlorides and bromides is given, e.g. aluminium ethyl dichloride and aluminium diethyl chloride.  The polymerisation may be carried out in a hydrocarbon medium, e.g. iso-octane or light petroleum and the process may be made continuous.  The product may be purified by treatment with alcohol and dilute aqueous acids and bases. Specifications 799,392, 799,823 and 801,031 are referred to.ALSO:An olefin polymerization catalyst is obtained by mixing (1) a compound of a metal of Group IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa or VIII of the Periodic Classification of the general formula: MeXn(OR)m or MeOXn(OR)m, in which Me represents the metal, X represents a halogen atom, R represents the residue of an aliphatic, aromatic or alicyclic radical or a derivative thereof, m is 1 or 2 and n is an integer such that m + n is less than the normal maximum valency of the metal (Me) with (2) a compound of a metal of Group IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa, or VIII in which compound said metal is in a higher valency state than it is in the compound MeXn(OR)m or MeOXn(OR)m, and with (3) an organometallic compound of a metal of Group I, II or III.  The catalyst may comprise one or more of each of the compounds referred to under (1), (2) and (3) above and the compounds referred to under (1) and (2) are preferably of the same metal.  The catalyst component (1) may comprise the product obtained by reacting the corresponding halogen containing compound of the metal with an aluminium derivative of an organic hydroxy compound.  Specified catalyst components of type (1) include mono - halo titanium, mono-alkoxides and mono-aryloxides, trivalent compounds of Group IVa containing a phenoxy and two halogen groups e.g. titanium dichloro-octoxide.  Titanium tetrachloride and vanadium chloro-alkoxides are specified as catalyst components of type (2).  The organometallic component (3) is preferably an organo-aluminium compound and a list of aluminium alkyls and alkyl chlorides and bromides is given, e.g. aluminium ethyl dichloride and aluminium diethyl chloride.  The polymerization may be carried out in a hydrocarbon medium, e.g. iso-octane or light petroleum. Specifications 799,392, 799,823 and 801,031 are referred to.