Method for the production of solid titanium trichloride catalyst

Abstract

A method for the production of a solid titanium trichloride catalyst by the steps of preparing a titanium trichloride composition comprising a solid reduction product obtained by reducing titanium tetrachloride with an organoaluminum compound represented by the formula, R.sup.1.sub.n AlY.sub.3-n (wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms; Y is a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom; and n is a number satisfying the equation, 1<n.ltoreq.3), or a solid product obtained by thermally treating said solid reduction product at a temperature of not more than 150.degree. C.; reacting said titanium trichloride composition in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent with a mixture consisting of a halogen compound represented by the formula, X.sub.2 (wherein X is Cl, Br, or I), or an interhalogen compound represented by the formula, XX'.sub.a (wherein X and X' are each Cl, Br, or I, and a is 1 or 3), and an ether compound represented by the formula, R.sup.2 --O--R.sup.3 (wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, which may be the same or different, are each an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms); subjecting the resulting reaction mixture to solid-liquid separation; and washing the resulting solid product with an inert hydrocarbon solvent, which method is characterized by using an aliphatic hydrocarbon as a washing medium during at least the first of washing treatments performed subsequently to said solid-liquid separation of said reaction mixture.