Polymeric gel catalyst for polymerization of .alpha.-olefines,

Abstract

A catalyst for the (co)polymerization of ethylene, .alpha.-olefines, conjugated and non-conjugated dienes, a method of preparation, and a mode of using same. The catalyst contains from 0.1 to 50 wt.% of a compound of a transition metal of the IV-VIII Groups chemically combined and distributed over the surface and within the volume of a rubber-like polymeric carrier containing from 1 to 50 wt.% of electron-donor and/or electron-acceptor groups and is in the form of a gel which is swellable, but insoluble in the reaction medium. A co-catalyst comprising an organic compound of a metal of Groups I-III is employed chemically combined and/or non-combined with the catalyst. The catalyst is prepared by mixing the metal compound with said carrier swollen or dissolved in a solvent, and by extracting the resulting compound with a solvent. (Co)polymerization is effected in a solvent such as a hydrocarbon or a hologenated hydrocarbon derivative at a temperature not exceeding 200.degree. C. under a pressure ranging from 0 to 100 atm by separating the catalyst from the (co)polymer during or after the reaction and recycling it back to the (co)polymerization.