Solution process for the preparation of polymers of alpha -olefins

摘要

A solution process, and a catalyst therefor, for the preparation of high molecular weight polymers of alpha-olefins viz. homopolymers of ethylene and copolymers of ethylene and C3-C12 alpha-olefins, is disclosed. The process is operated under solution polymerization conditions at 105 DEG -320 DEG C. The catalyst is obtained from titanium tetrahalides, vanadium oxytrihalides and organoaluminum compounds, in which an admixture of catalyst components is heat-treated at 180 DEG -250 DEG C. and subsequently cooled to a temperature of less than 150 DEG C. Additional vanadium oxytrihalide is then added. The resultant catalyst solution is activated with an aluminum compound. The catalyst has good activity, showing superior activity to catalysts in which additional vanadium oxytrihalide is not added or added at temperatures above 150 DEG C.