Study of (π‐C₅H₅)₂Ti(C₂H₅)Cl and its higher homologs in soluble Ziegler catalysts

Abstract

Abstract Soluble ethylene polymerization catalysts derived from (π‐C 5 H 5 ) 2 Ti(R)Cl and R′AlCl 2 where R is ethyl or higher alkyl and R′ may be methyl or ethyl, were studied both by polymerization kinetics at 0°C and by diagnostic experiments. An early acceleration in rate occurred at this temperature in toluene solvent which was due to a solvent dependent increase in catalyst activity, not to a gradual formation of catalyst. No such solvent effect was found in nonaromatic solvents. The subsequent decay in rate, at least at low temperatures, did not depend upon valence reduction. The effect of Al/Ti ratio was studied, and certain discrepancies in the literature were shown to be due to the method of making kinetic measurements. Oxygen, which has previously been reported to affect the polymerization rate with these catalysts, was also found to eliminate the acceleration period in toluene when present in the amount of 1% of the catalyst. These catalysts gave polymers at low temperature for which the active site had long life and which did not undergo chain transfer. Therefore, they approximate many of the characteristics of living polymers.