Process for the preparation of a catalyst for the polymerization of

Abstract

A process is disclosed for the polymerization of olefins, using (i) a catalyst and (ii) an organometallic activator from Groups I, II or III of the Periodic Table at temperatures between 20.degree. and 250.degree. C., and pressure up to 200 bar, in solution, or in suspension in an inert liquid hydrocarbon, at temperatures between 160.degree. and 350.degree. C., under pressures of between 400 and 3000 bar, in a continuous manner in a reactor where the mean residence time of the catalyst is between 1 and 150 seconds. The catalyst comprises at least one titanium compound, at least one halogen-containing organoaluminum compound and at least one inorganic magnesium compound in suspension in at least one .alpha.,.omega.-dihaloalkane. The titanium compound is essentially a titanium (III) compound, the total content of titanium (II) and titanium (IV) being less than or equal to 15% of the total content of titanium. The catalyst is obtained by a process comprising, in a first step, the reduction of a titanium (IV) compound in an .alpha.,.omega.-dihaloalkane by means of a molar excess of at least one halogen-containing organoaluminum compound, in the absence of an ether, and, in a second step, the addition to the reaction mixture of a compound which forms a magnesium halide in situ without supplementary reduction of the titanium compound obtained in the first step. Molar ratios of the .alpha.,.omega.-dihaloalkane, the titanium compound, halogen-containing organoaluminum, and the compound which forms a magnesium halide in situ are also described.