Ethylaluminum oxide catalysts from Et2AlOLi–Et2AlCl binary system in relation to species of AlEt3–water catalyst

Equimolar reaction of Et₂AlOLi and Et₂AlCl gave Et₂AlOAlEt₂. The catalyst behavior for polymerization of acetaldehyde, propylene oxide, and epichlorohydrin was compared with that of the AlEt₃–H₂O (1:0.5) catalyst system. The thermal disproportionation product of Et₂AlOAlEt₂ derived from Et₂AlOLi–Et₂AlCl had the structure, ? (EtAlO)_n? , and it showed catalyst behavior quite similar to that of the product obtained by the same treatment of AlEt₃–H₂O (1:0.5). These ethylaluminum oxides can be regarded as species predominating in AlEt₃–H₂O (1:0.5) and AlEt₃–H₂O (1:1), respectively. Stereospecific or high molecular weight polymerizations of these species were investigated.