Synthesizing UHMWPE Using Ziegler-Natta Catalyst System of MgCl2(ethoxide type)/ TiCl4/tri-isobutylaluminum

Summery: A Ziegler-Natta catalyst of MgCl₂ (ethoxide type)/TiCl₄ has been synthesized. In order to obtain ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) tri-isobutylaluminum which is less active to chain transfer was used as cocatalyst. Slurry polymerization was carried out for the polymerization of ethylene while, dilute solution viscometry was performed for the viscosity average molecular weight (Mv) measurement. The effect of [Al]/[Ti] molar ratio, temperature, monomer pressure and polymerization time on the Mv and productivity of the catalyst have been investigated. The results showed increasing [Al]/[Ti] ratio in the range of 78–117, decreased the Mv of the obtained polymer from 7.8 × 10⁶ to 3.7 × 10⁶ however, further increase of the ratio, resulted in decreased of by much slower rate up to [Al]/[Ti] = 588. The higher pressure in the range of 1–7 bars showed the higher the Mv of the polymer obtained, while increasing temperature in the range of 50 to 90 °C decreased the Mv from 9.3 × 10⁶ to 3.7 × 10⁶. The Mv rapidly increase with polymerization time in the first 15 minutes of the reaction, this increase was slowly up to the end of the reaction (120 min). Increasing [Al]/[Ti] ratio raised productivity of the catalyst in the range studied. Rising reaction temperature from 50 to 75 °C increased the productivity of the catalyst however, further increase in the temperature up to the 90 °C decreased activity of the catalyst. Monomer pressure in the range 1 to 7 bars yields higher productivity of the catalyst. Also by varying polymerization conditions synthesizing of UHMWPE with Mv in the range of 3 × 10⁶ to 9 × 10⁶ was feasible.     

Studies on Polymerization Activities by Soluble Catalysts Based on Compounds of Organotransition Metals and Aluminum Alkyls

Polymerization activities of the soluble Ziegler-type of catalyst systems, Ti(OR)₄-AlEt₃, Ti(NEt₂)₄-AlMe₃, and V(NEt₂)4-AlEt₃, were investigated. In the catalyst system of Ti(OR)₄-AlEt₃, formation of two types of Ti(III) compounds, i.e., Ti(OR)₂Et and its bridged complex with aluminum alkyl, was confirmed by IR and ESR measurements. With the addition of donor molecule to the system, it was found that the polymer yield decreased remarkably and that the bridged complex dissociated into a single or uncomplex Ti(III) paramagnetic species. It has been concluded that the bridged structure of Ti(III) species was responsible for the polymerization activity of styrene. Two reaction products of Ti(NEt₂)₃Me and Al(NEt2)Me₂ were found by NMR spectroscopic observation with the Ti(NEt₂)₄-AlMe₃ catalyst system. From the kinetic study of polymerization of styrene, it was found that Ti(NEt₂)₃Me is an active species. An anionic mechanism was proposed for the styrene polymerization by Ti(NEt₂)₃Me. In the polymerization of MMA with the V(NEt₂)₄-AlEt₃ system, a difference in the tacticity of polymer was found to depend on the polymerization conditions, e.g., AI/V ratio and temperature. From an analysis of the tacticity of the polymer, the presence of two active sites in the propagation process is suggested.     

Polymerization of vinyl chloride by the Ti(O-n-Bu)4–AlEt3–epichlorohydrin catalyst system

The polymerization of vinyl chloride was carried out by using a catalyst system consisting of Ti(O-n-Bu)₄, AlEt₃, and epichlorohydrin. The polymerization rate and the reduced viscosity of polymer were influenced by the polymerization temperature, AlEt₃/Ti(O-n-Bu)₄ molar ratios, and epichlorohydrin/Ti(O-n-Bu)₄ molar ratios. The reduced viscosity of polymer obtained in the virtual absence of n-heptane as solvent was two to three times as high as that of polymer obtained in the presence of n-heptane. The crystallinity of poly(vinyl chloride) thus obtained was similar to that of poly(vinyl chloride) produced by a radical catalyst. It was concluded that the polymerization of vinyl chloride by the present catalyst system obeys a radical mechanism rather than a coordinated anionic mechanism.     

Soluble magnesium–titanium catalysts for ethylene polymerization. I

A study has been made of a catalyst system comprising the heptane-soluble magnesium and titanium compounds in combination with an organoaluminum compound for ethylene polymerization at a high temperature. The productivity for ethylene polymerization of the catalyst system, n-butylethyl magnesium (BEM)-2-ethyl hexanol (C₈H₁₇OH)-tetra-n-butoxytitanium[Ti(OBu)₄]/diethyl aluminum chloride (DEAC) is higher than for MgCl₂-Cl₂-C₈H₁₇ OHTi(OBu)₄/DEAC and much higher than MgCl₂-Ti(OBu)₄/DEAC. The nature of the three different catalyst systems have been discussed in comparison with experimental data on polymerization behavior and the data of the elemental and x-ray diffraction analysis of the solid products obtained from the reactions between the catalyst components.     

Catalytic activity of a supported catalyst for ethylene polymerization,obtained by modification of vulcasil with titanium tetrachloride vapour

Titanium-containing surface compounds have been obtained by the interaction of the silanol groups of Vulcasil with TiCl₄ vapour. These substances have been used, in combination with organ-oaluminium and organo-magnesium compounds, for the polymerization of ethylene. The effects upon the catalyst activity of the reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, duration of polymerization), of the titanium amount on the Vulcasil surface and the Al:Ti and Mg:Ti ratios have been studied.The activity of the catalyst system has been shown to increase with increasing pressure up to 11 kg/cm² and to attain its optimum value at 60°. Polymerization has been found to end 15–20 min after the introduction of the monomer. The highest yields of polymer are obtained at Mg:Ti and Al:Ti ratios of about 30.The amount of titanium on the Vulcasil surface depends on the conditions of preliminary heat-treatment of the Vulcasil and decreases from 0.63 to 0.30 mg at/g with increasing dehydroxylation temperature. Simultaneously, the yield of polymer varies within a narrow range (89–107 g/l), and the productivity increases from 21 to 35.5 kg polyethylene (PE) per 1 g of Ti. This is especially clearly expressed with the samples obtained by preliminary heat-treatment at 400–700°.     

Syndiospecific polymerization of styrene. I. Tetrabenzyl titanium/methylaluminoxane catalyst

Syndiospecific polymerization of styrene (S) was catalyzed by Bz₄Ti/MAO (tetrabenzyltitanium/methylaluminoxane). The product was separated into syndiotactic polystyrene (s-PS) and atactic polystyrene (a-PS) by extraction of the latter with boiling 2-butanone. Over the broad range of catalyst concentrations, compositions, and polymerization temperatures, the catalytic activity is 150 ± 80kg PS (mol Ti mo S h)^?1 with 89 ± 5% yield of s-PS (SY). The concentration of active species has been determined by radiolabeling. Only about 1.7% of Bz₄Ti initiates syndiospecific polymerization at 60°C with values of rate constants for propagation and for chain transfer to MAO of 1.38 (M s)^?1 and 5.2 × 10^?4s^?1, respectively. Nonspecific polymerization was initiated by 16.8% of the Ti having values of 0.056 (M s)^?1 and 6.5 × 10^?4 s^?1 for the rate constants of propagation and transfer, respectively. The effect of solvent polarity on the polymerization was studied using toluene mixed with chlorobenzene of o-dichlorobenzene as solvents. An increase of effective dielectric constant from 2.43 to 5.92 reduces the polymerization activity by a factor of two and lowers SY to mere 39%. In 1 : 1 toluene/chlorobenzene solvent mixture, it was found that 1.3% and 26% of the Bz₄Ti initiate syndiospecific and nonspecific polymerizations of styrene, respectively. The Bz₄Ti/MAO catalyst is poor in both productivity and stereoselectivity.     

Comparison of Syndiotactic Polystyrene Morphology Obtained Via Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Polymerization with Metallocene Catalyst

Summary: Supported catalyst system for the slurry phase polymerization of styrene in toluene was prepared by the immobilization of 2-methylindenyltrichlorotitanium(2-MeIndTiCl₃) on silica and activation of this catalyst was performed by methylaluminoxane(MAO) in polymerization media. Homogeneous polymerization of styrene with 2-methylindenyltrichlorotitanium activated by MAO was performed in toluene. The morphology of obtained syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) via heterogeneous and homhgeneous catalyst system was compared. Polymerization of styrene by homogeneous catalyst lead to formation of gel and resultant polymers presented a compact and dense texture while the global gelation do not occur with silica supported catalyst at different Ti/SiO₂ mol ratios and sPS was obtained as separated particles. Unlike to the homogeneous catalyst, obtained polymers showed a porous texture. Highly porous texture of sPS was obtained with Ti/SiO₂ = 0.5% mol ratio.     

Polymerization of vinyl chloride with half‐titanocene/methylaluminoxane catalysts

The polymerization of vinyl chloride (VC) with half‐titanocene /methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalysts is investigated. The polymerization of VC with the Cp*Ti(OCH₃)₃/MAO catalyst (Cp* = η⁵‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) afforded high‐molecular‐weight poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in good yields, although the polymerization proceeded at a slow rate. With the Cp*TiCl₃/MAO catalyst, the polymer was also obtained, but the polymer yield was lower than that with the Cp*Ti(OCH₃)₃/MAO catalyst. The polymerization of VC with the Cp*Ti(OCH₃)₃/MAO catalyst was influenced by the MAO/Ti mole ratio and reaction temperature, and the optimum was observed at the MAO/Ti mole ratio of about 10. The optimum reaction temperature of VC with the Cp*Ti(OCH₃)₃/MAO catalyst was around 20 °C. The stereoregularity of PVC obtained with the Cp*Ti(OCH₃)₃/MAO catalyst was different from that obtained with azobisisobutyronitrile, but highly stereoregular PVC could not be synthesized. From the elemental analyses, the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of the polymers, and the analysis of the reduction product from PVC to polyethylene, the polymer obtained with Cp*Ti(OCH₃)₃/MAO catalyst consisted of only regular head‐to‐tail units without any anomalous structure, whereas the Cp*TiCl₃/MAO catalyst gave the PVC‐bearing anomalous units. The polymerization of VC with the Cp*Ti(OCH₃)₃/MAO catalyst did not inhibit even in the presence of radical inhibitors such as 2,2,6,6,‐tetrametylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl, indicating that the polymerization of VC did not proceed via a radical mechanism. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 248–256, 2003     

Preparation of ultra high molecular weight amorphous poly(1‐hexene) by a Ziegler–Natta catalyst

High molecular weight polymers such as poly (α‐olefin)s play a key role as drag‐reducing agents which are commonly used in pipeline industry. Heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta catalyst system of MgCl₂.nEtOH/TiCl₄/donor was prepared using a spherical MgCl₂ support and utilized in synthesis of poly(1‐hexene)s with a viscosity average molecular weight (M_v) up to 3.5 × 10³ kDa. The influence of effective parameters including Al/Ti ratio, polymerization temperature, monomer concentration, effect of alkylaluminus type on the productivity, and molecular weight of the products was evaluated. It was suggested that the reactivity of the Al‐R group and the bulkiness of the cocatalyst were correlated to the performance of the Ziegler–Natta catalyst at different polymerization time and temperatures, affecting the catalyst activity and M_v of polymers. Moreover, bulk polymerization method leads to higher viscosity average molecular weights, revealing the remarkable effect of polymerization method on the chain microstructure. Fourier transform infrared, ¹³C Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, and DSC thermogram of the prepared polymers confirmed the formation of poly(1‐hexene). The properties of the polymers measured by vortex test showed that these polymers could be used as a drag‐reducing agent. Drag‐reducing behaviors of the polymers exhibited a dependence on the M_v of the obtained polymers that was changed by variation in polymerization parameters. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

TiCl4/XROH/MgCl2/Et3Al催化剂合成宽分子量分布乙烯/1-己烯共聚物

采用MgCl₂负载TiCl₄及1,3-二氯-2-丙醇给电子体(XROH),与三乙基铝助催化剂组成的催化剂体系,合成了1-己烯共聚率高且宽分子量分布的乙烯/1-己烯共聚物。 讨论了催化体系的组成、配比和聚合条件对乙烯/1-己烯共聚合行为,共聚物结构、分子量及分子量分布的影响。 结果表明,n(Ti)∶n(Mg)=10∶1,n(XROH)∶n(MgCl₂)=2.6∶1,n(Al)∶n(Ti)=100∶1,乙烯压力0.45 MPa,聚合温度80 ℃,聚合时间2 h,共聚单体(1-hexene)浓度0.25 mol/L时,催化效率达23.2 kg/g cat。 采用¹³C NMR、X-ray、SEM、WAXD、DSC、GPC等测试技术对催化剂、共聚物的结构进行了表征。 结果表明,在Zieglar-Natta(Z-N)催化体系中,给电子体多卤代醇与TiCl4结合,载体MgCl2的晶体结构发生了变化。 结晶度降低,有利于催化剂负载量的提高(ω(Ti)=4.8%)和催化效率增大。 催化体系产生了多种活性中心,使聚烯烃分子量分布变宽(15~20)。 多卤代醇还可增强1-己烯与乙烯的共聚能力,在共聚物中1-己烯的摩尔分数达5.1%。     

Preparation and study of bi-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst with nano graphene oxide and magnesium ethoxide supports for polymerization of polyethylene

In this study, we have reported the preparation of bi-supported Ziegler-Natta catalysts using magnesium ethoxide and graphene oxide as support. The polymerization process was carried out in slurry phase using triisobutylaluminum as a co-catalyst.The XRD analysis of TiCl₄/graphene oxide/Mg(OEt)₂ catalyst demonstrated that the space between the layers of graphene oxide had increased to 0.2 nm.The catalyst was characterized by XPS, BET, BJH, SEM, and TGA. The catalyst activity was studied for various Al/Ti molar ratios, and the catalyst activity was optimum at Al/Ti molar ratio of 315.     

Control of molecular weight in polymerization of vinyl chloride with Cp*Ti(OPh)3/MAO catalyst

Polymerization of vinyl chloride (VC) with titanium complexes containing Ti‐OPh bond in combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalysts was investigated. Among the titanium complexes examined, Cp*Ti(OPh)₃/MAO catalyst (Cp*; pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, Ph; C₆H₅) gave the highest activity for the polymerization of VC, but the polymerization rate was slow. From the kinetic study on the polymerization of VC with Cp*Ti(OPh)₃/MAO catalyst, the relationship between the M_n of the polymer and the polymer yields gave a straight line, and the line passed through the origin. The M_w/M_n values of the polymer gradually decrease as a function of polymer yields, but the M_w/M_n values were somewhat broad. This may be explained by a slow initiation in the polymerization of VC with Cp*Ti(OPh)₃/MAO catalyst. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the molecular weight control of the polymers is possible in the polymerization of VC with the Cp*Ti(OPh)₃/MAO catalyst. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3872–3876, 2007     

Probing the roles of diethylaluminum chloride in propylene polymerization with MgCl2-supported ziegler-natta catalysts

In this article, the effect of diethylaluminum chloride (DEAC) in propylene polymerization with MgCl₂-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst was studied. Addition of DEAC in the catalyst system caused evident change in catalytic activity and polymer chain structure. The activity decrease in raising DEAC/Ti molar ratio from 0 to 2 is a result of depressed production of isotactic polypropylene chains. The number of active centers in fractions of each polymer sample was determined by quenching the polymerization with 2-thiophenecarbonyl chloride and fractionating the polymer into isotactic, mediumisotactic and atactic fractions. The number of active centers in isotactic fraction ([C_i*]/[Ti]) was lowered by increasing DEAC/Ti molar ratio to 2, but further increasing the DEAC/Ti molar ratio to 20 caused marked increase of [C_i*]/[Ti]. The number of active centers that produce atactic and medium-isotactic PP chains was less influenced by DEAC in the range of DEAC/Ti = 0–10, but increased when the DEAC/Ti molar ratio was further raised to 20. The propagation rate constant of C_i* (k _pi) was evidently increased when DEAC/Ti molar ratio was raised from 0 to 5, but further increase in DEAC/Ti ratio caused gradual decrease in k _pi. The complicated effect of DEAC on the polymerization kinetics, catalysis behaviors and polymer structure can be reasonably explained by adsorption of DEAC on the central metal of the active centers or on Mg atoms adjacent to the central metal.     

Enhancement of stereospecificity in isoprene polymerization with alkylaluminum–titanium chloride catalysts through use of carbon disulfide

The effect of CS₂ on isoprene polymerization with triisobutylaluminum-titanium tetrachloride catalysts was studied at Al/Ti ratios of optimum (0.9) and higher values. In the absence of CS₂, appreciable amounts of low molecular weight oils (“extractables”) were formed at the expense of cis-1,4-polyisoprene with higher than optimum Al/Ti ratios. Small amounts of CS₂ were found to prevent extractables formation and allow attainment of higher yields of cis-1,4-polyisoprene. The optimum CS₂/Ti chloride molar ratio (0.1) was independent of the Al/Ti ratio of the catalyst. Polymer microstructure and dilute solution viscosity were unaffected by CS₂. The results support the theory that the catalyst surfaces hold two types of active sites: p-sites, which initiate polymerization, and o-sites, which lead to oligomerization. CS₂ appears to enhance polymerization by coordinating selectively at the o-sites. The predominance of oligomerization at the higher Al/Ti ratios was attributed to a destruction of p-sites by excess trialkyl-aluminum.     

Cyclo- and Cyclized Diene Polymers. XIX. Polymerization of Butadiene with the C2H5AlCl2 + TiCl4 Catalyst

Abstract

The polymerization of butadiene with an EtAlCl₂-TiCl₄ catalyst system yields cyclopolybutadiene with varying amounts of trans-1, 4 units, depending upon the Al/Ti ratio and the solvent. Apparently different active centers are produced at Ti > Al and Al > Ti ratios. When the catalyst system has Ti > Al, there is a rapid decrease in the initial polymerization rate and the cyclopoly butadiene contains large amounts of methyl groups, 10–12% of trans-1, 4 units, 2–3% of 1, 2 units, and, when the polymerization is carried out in aromatic solvents, aromatic moieties are incorporated in the structure. When the catalyst system has Al > Ti, there is a very slow decrease of the initial polymerization rate, and the cyclopoly butadiene contains up to 40% of trans-1, 4 units, less than 1% of 1, 2 units, and methyl groups and solvent moieties are essentially absent even when the polymerization is carried out in aromatic solvents. Cocatalytic amounts of iodine greatly increase the initial rate of polymerization. The Ti > Al catalyst may promote 1, 3-cation-radical propagation with transoid monomer to yield a perhydrophenanthrene structure while the Al > Ti catalyst may promote 1,2 cation-radical propagation with cisoid monomer to yield a perhydroanthracene structure.     

Simultaneous polymerization and formation of polyacetylene film on the surface of concentrated soluble Ziegler-type catalyst solution

A direct method of simultaneously polymerizing and forming acetylene monomer to produce uniformly thin films of polyacetylene was investigated in terms of catalyst system, catalyst concentration, and polymerization temperature. The best catalyst was a Ti(OC₄H₉)₄–Al(C₂H₅)₃ system (Al/Ti = 3–4) and the critical concentration was 3 mmole/l. of Ti(OC₄H₉)₄. Below the critical concentration, only a solid or a powder was obtained. The configuration of the polymers obtained depends strongly upon the polymerization temperature. Thus an all-cis polymer was obtained at temperatures lower than ?78°C, whereas an all-trans polymer resulted at temperatures higher than 150°C. Observations either in an electron microscope by direct transmission or in a scanning electron microscope showed that the film is composed of an accumulation of fibrils about 200–300 Å in width and of indefinite length.     

Simultaneous polymerization and formation of polyacetylene film on the surface of concentrated soluble Ziegler-type catalyst solution

A direct method of simultaneously polymerizing and forming acetylene monomer to produce uniformly thin films of polyacetylene was investigated in terms of catalyst system, catalyst concentration, and polymerization temperature. The best catalyst was a Ti(OC₄H₉)₄,–AI(C₂H₅)₃ system (Al/Ti = 3–4) and the critical concentration was 3 mmole/l. of Ti(OC₄H₉)₄. Below the critical concentration, only a solid or a powder was obtained. The configuration of the polymers obtained depends strongly upon the polymerization temperature. Thus an all-cis polymer was obtained at temperatures lower than −78°C, whereas an all-trans polymer resulted at temperatures higher than 150°C. Observations either in an electron microscope by direct transmission or in a scanning electron microscope showed that the film is composed of an accumulation of fibrils about 200–300 Å in width and of indefinite length.     

Synthesis and characterization of oligomer from 1-decene catalyzed by supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst

Oligomer of 1-decene was synthesized with Ziegler-Natta catalyst which consisted of TiCl₄ and Et₂AlCl, using MgCl₂ as support. The effects of temperature, Al/Ti ratio, time, and concentration of the catalyst on polymerization behaviors were investigated. The results showed that the catalyst system was desirable for the oligomerization of 1-decene with good catalytic activity, 143.8 kg oligo/mol Ti h, under typical conditions. The oligomer obtained was characterized with GC-MASS, GC and ¹³C NMR methods. Those results indicated that the oligomer was of a mixture consisting of di-, tri-, tetra- and pentamer. The ¹³C NMR data also implied that chain propagation of the oligomer involved primarily head-to-tail 1,2-insertions, as well as head-to-head and tail-to-tail 2,1-insertions.     

Ethylene polymerization with a supported vanadium catalyst obtained by the molecular deposition method

An active-phase monolayer has been deposited on SiO₂ using replacement of the surface OH groups by VOCl₃ vapour. The amount of vanadium fixed on the SiO₂ surface depends on the initial concentration of the silanol groups and ranges from 3.36 to 1.43%. In combination with diethyl aluminium chloride, the products are active catalysts for ethylene polymerization. The effects of the reaction conditions (the time of catalyst-complex formation, the catalyst life time and the temperature of polymerization) as well as the effect of the vanadium content, the A1:V ratio and the presence of diphenyl magnesium on the activity of the catalyst system have been investigated. The catalyst activity was found to depend strongly on the amount of vanadium fixed on the support surface. The maximum productivity obtained is about 22,000 gPE/g vanadium. Some basic characteristics of the synthesized polymer such as tensile strength, elongation at break, density and crystallization degree are given.     

(η5-Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)trimethyltitanium as a precursor for the syndiospecific polymerization of styrene

An equimolar mixture of Cp*Ti(CH₃)₃ (2) and Ph₃C⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? (1) forms a highly active and syndioselective catalyst for the polymerization of styrene, producing 96% syndiotactic polystyrene (PS) at an activity of 0.91 × 10⁷ g PS (mol Ti)^?1 (mol styrene)^?1 h^?1. Both activity and syndioselectivity can be increased using tri–isobutylaluminum (TIBA) to scavenge the system. ESR measurements indicate that the polymerization proceeds via titanium(IV) intermediates. Catalysts derived from 2/methylaluminoxane (MAO) as well as Cp*TiCl₃/MAO also function as syndioselective styrene polymerization catalysts, but are less active than the ‘cationic’; system derived from 1 and 2.