Superactive and stereospecific catalysts. I. Structures and productivity

Two series of catalysts were made, one from MgCl₂–A solution containing MgCl₂, EH (2-ethylhexanol), and EB (ethyl benzoate) dissolved in decane and another from MgCl₂–B solution containing MgCl₂, EH, and phthalic anhydride which reacted to form the corresponding phthalic ester. Reactions of these solutions with TiCl₄ with or without another ester produced a family of eight catalysts. They form two groups, one having monoesters as modifiers, and the other containing diesters as modifiers. The surface area, pore volume, x-diffractions, polymerization activity, and catalytic stereospecificity of these catalysts have been compared. The diester catalysts differ from the monoester catalysts in every respect. By comparison the corresponding member of the diester catalysts have half as much Ti per Mg, more than 10 times the pore volume, more than a 100-fold the surface area, about 50% more productivity, and greatly increased steroespecificity.