PROCESS FOR THE COPOLYMERISATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE WITH AN OLEFINICALLY UNSATURATED COMPOUND AND NEW COPOLYMERS

摘要

A solution copolymerisation process, for copolymerisation of carbon monoxide with an olefin to make a polyketone copolymer, comprises contacting the monomers in the presence of a Group VIII metal catalyst, in a solvent comprising a compound of general formula R<1>-CH(Q<1>H)-(X)n-CH(Q<2>H)-R<2> (formula A) wherein X represents a group of formula -CHR<3>-, n is 0 or 1, Q<1> and Q<2> represents sulphur or oxygen, and at least one of the moieties R<1>, R<2> and R<3> comprises a group which is able to effect hydrogen bonding with molecules of formula A. A preferred solvent is glycerol. The polyketone copolymer formed is believed to react with the compound A to form a ketal derivative and to be held in solution as a result of hydrogen bonding via at least one of the moieties R<1>, R<2> and R<3>. Treatment of the solution with water precipitates the polyketone copolymer.