Study of (π-C5H5)2Ti(CH3)Cl and (π-C5H5)2Ti(C6H5)Cl in soluble Ziegler catalysts

Soluble ethylene polymerization catalysts derived from (π-C₅H₅)₂Ti(R)Cl and R ′AlCl₂, where R = methyl or phenyl and R ′ = methyl or ethyl, were studied both by polymerization kinetics at 0°C and by diagnostic experiments. It was found that the first insertion of ethylene into the Ti? R bond is difficult when R = methyl or phenyl, and for this reason these catalysts show a different overall behavior than when R = ethyl or higher alkyl.