Copolymerization of ethylene and 1-butene with highly active Ticl4/THF/Mgcl2, Ticl4/THF/Mgcl2/SiO2, and TiCl3.1/3AlCl3 catalysts

Highly active catalysts for copolymerization have been prepared by the precipitation of MgCl₂/ToCl₄ complex with or without high surface area silica. Copolymerization of ethylene and 1-butene has been tested by using the prepared catalysts at various concentrations of 1-butene. The catalytic activities are 20–80 kg/g Ti h. The rate of copolymerization is strongly affected by the addition of 1-butene. The decay rate of copolymerization is first order with respect to time. Analyses of copolymers with solvent extraction, DSC, IR, XRD, and NMR were performed. Ethylene reactivity ratio (k₁₁) for TiCl₄/MgCl₂/THF catalyst is calculated to be about 26 by NMR spectrum. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.