Shell Oil Comapny

Wilhelmina J Van Der Linden-Lemmers

Andras G Kortbeek

Brian L Goodall

A process for the stereospecific polymerization of an alpha olefin with at least three carbon atoms, with a catalyst system comprising (a) a titanium halide, and (b,i) a reaction product of an organoaluminum halide and an aromatic compound or (b,ii) a reaction product of an organoaluminum halide, an aromatic compound and a halogen-free organoaluminum compound, the aromatic compound being a hydroxy aromatic compound which comprises a sec. or tert. alkyl group in both ortho-positions in respect of the hydroxyl group.

Process for the stereospecific polymerization of an alpha olefin and an

A TiCl.sub.3 olefin polymerization catalyst component is prepared by reducing TiCl.sub.4 with an aluminum trihydrocarbyl compound in a molar ratio of Ti:Al of 2.7:1 to 4.0:1 in the presence of diisoamyl ether and a hydrocarbon solvent by gradually adding TiCl.sub.4 to the aluminum trihydrocarbyl compound and at least a substantial proportion of the diisoamyl ether at a temperature of from 15.degree. to 50.degree. C. during a period of from 0.7 to 2.5 hours to produce a precipitate of TiCl.sub.3, and thereafter converting the precipitate into active TiCl.sub.3 by heating at a temperature of from 80.degree. to 110.degree. C. during at least 30 minutes. The active TiCl.sub.3, when combined with a conventional organoaluminum cocatalyst, provides a stereospecific catalyst for the polymerization of alpha monoolefins having high activity, good morphology and good stereospecificity.

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Amsterdam, Netherlands

Wilhelmina J Van Der Linden-Lemmers