Bp Chemicals Limited

James Maxwell Kerr

Derek Alan Colman

John McMahon

James Mann Scotland

A process for controlling the molecular weight distribution of polyisobutene formed during a liquid phase polymersiation reaction using a catalyst comprising boron trifluoride and taking place in a reactor having condensers associated with it which process involves introducing an electron donor above the level of liquid in the reactor to minimize the reaction of isobutene with free gaseous boron trifluoride in the condensers thereby minimizing the formation of unwanted polymers.

Isobutene polymerization process

This invention relates to a method of producing polyisobutenes from a feedstock comprising a mixture of C4 hydrocarbons and containing isobutene and at least 5% by weight of 1-butene using a cationic polymerisation catalyst, characterised in that prior to polymerisation, the feedstock is subjected to a pre-treatment step in order to reduce the 1-butene content thereof to a level which is at least 20% lower than that of the 1-butene content in the initial mixed C4 hydrocarbon feedstock prior to the pre-treatment thereof and the polyisobutene so formed is (a) very high in its vinylidene group content and (b) substantially free of halogen.

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Edinburgh, United Kingdom

James Maxwell Kerr