Supported Chromium Oxide Catalyst for Olefin Polymerization. XI. Comparison between Ethylene and Propylene Polymerization

It is shown that the new model of an active site of chromium oxide catalyst supported on silica-alumina, previously proposed for ethylene polymerization, is also valid for propylene polymerization. The new model involves a set of three chromium atoms with different oxidation degrees located at the border of the flat chromium oxide domains spread onto the support. The main differences between the behavior of the two monomers are caused by the much higher reducing power of the propylene and also by its mode of adsorption which is stronger. Some copolymerization experiments are described.