Studies of Ziegler-type catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene and propylene II The polymerization of ethylene with VOCl3-Et3Al2Cl3 (chlorinated activator) catalysts

VOCl₃-Et₃Al₂C1₃(chlorinated activator) catalysts have been employed for the polymerization of ethylene at T between 15 and 85° in n-hexane. Using butylperchlorocrotonate as the activator, the following catalyst efficiencies (g polymerization, hr, atmosphere ethylene in the cap gas) were achieved: 10^6,1 MFI = 0-00; 10^5,8, e.g. MFI = 1 0 (with 9 per cent H₂ present in the cap gas) and 10^6–9 MFI = 0?4 (with 44 mmole/1 styrene in the hexane medium). Reactions between the aluminium alkyl and the activator molecules produced other chlorinated species of high average activator effectiveness. The catalyst system could be reactivated by further additions of Et₃Al₂Cl₃. The minimum value of the polymerization propagation rate constant is estimated to be 10¹²²?6x10,461 cm³/mole sec.