Title of Invention

A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF A SOLID TITANIUM CATALYST COMPONANT.

Abstract A process for the preparation of a solid titanium catalyst component which comprises: (i) a step wherein a suspension is prepared which contains a solid material prepared by contacting at a temperature of-70ºC200ºC a magnesium compound with 0.01-1000 mole parts of a first titanium compound and 0.01-5 mole parts of a polybasic carboxylic acid ester such as herein described per mole part of the magnesium compound used, respectively, supported thereon; (ii) a step wherein the solid material is separated from the suspension; and (iii) a step wherein the solid material is contacted with 5-200 mole parts of a second titanium compound such as herein described per mole part of the magnesium compound used under heating at a temperature of 40-200°C; Wherein while the solid material is separated from the suspension in the step (ii) and the solid material is supplied to the step (iii), the solid material is maintained at a temperature in the range of 70-130°C.
Full Text BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a solid titanium catalyst
component and an olefin polymerization catalyst prepared
from the same. More particularly, the invention relates to
a process for preparing a solid titanium catalyst component,
such a catalyst component as prepared by the process, a
preliminary olefin polymerization catalyst and an olefin
polymerization catalyst both pepared from such a catalyst
component, and a process for producing polyolefins using
such ca talysts.
Description of the Prior Art
A Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprising a titanium
catalyst component and an organoaluminum compound have been
in wide use as an olefin polymerization catalyst. It is
already known that a catalyst which is prepared from a solid
titanium catalyst component comprising a titanium compound
supported on a solid carrier has high polymerization
activity. In particular, it is also known that a catalyst
which is prepared from a solid titanium catalyst component
comprising a titanium compound supported on a solid
halogenated magnesium compound has high polymerization
activity, but also the catalyst provides highly
stereospecific polyolefins in high yields when it is used
for the polymerization of alpha-olefins having at least
three carbon atoms such as propylene or 1-butene.
The solid titanium catalyst component comprising a
titanium compound supported on a solid halogenated magnesium
compound may be prepared by contacting a halogenated
magnesium compound, a titanium compound and an electron
donor with each other.
A process for an olefin polymerization using such a
solid titanium catalyst component is known, as disclosed
in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 58-83006.
According to the prior art, a solid titanium catalyst
component is prepared by use of a hydrocarbon solution of
a magnesium compound, a titanium compound which is per se
liquid such as titanium tetrachloride and an electron donor.
An olefin polymerization catalyst is then prepared from the
solid titanium catalyst component, an organometallic catalyst
component and an organosilicone catalyst component. The
prior art uses a certain compound such as an acid anhydride
in combination with a polybasic carboxylic acid ester or a
polyhydric alcohol ester as an electron donor when the solid
titanium catalyst component is prepared.
The hydrocarbon solution of a magnesium compound is
prepared usually by solubilizing a magnesium compound
which is solid at normal temperatures such as magnesium
chloride with a solubilizing agent, if necessary, in a
hydrocarbon solvent. A preferred example of the solubilizing
agent is an alcohol such as 2-ethylhexanol.
More specifically, according to the prior art, the
solid titanium catalyst component is prepared by firstly
contacting a solution of a magnesium compound with titanium
tetrachloride in the presence of an electron donor to form
a suspension which contains the resultant solid material;
the solid material is separated from the suspension; and
then the solid material is again contacted with titanium
tetrachloride under heating.
As mentioned above, the polymerization of olefins in
the presence of a catalyst prepared from the solid titanium
catalyst component together with an organometallic catalyst
component and an organosilicone catalyst component provides
polyolefins in high yields. In particular, the
polymerization of alpha-olefins having at least three carbon
atoms provides highly stereospecific polyolefins in high
yields. In addition, the resulting polyoefins have a small
content of finely divided polymer powder as well as narrow
particle distribution and high bulk density.
The known olefin polymerization catalyst which is
prepared by a method as described above and contains the
solid titanium catalyst component has a high performance
in many respects, that is, in respect of polymerization
activity, and stereospecificity and particle properties of
the resulting polymers, as above set forth. However, in
recent years, there is a strong demand for a solid titanium
catalyst component for use in the preparation of an olefin
polymerization catalyst which reduces the amount of finely
divided polymer powder produced.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to
provide a solid titanium catalyst component for use in an
olefin polymerization catalyst which has high olefin
polymerization activity, and in particular, for use in an
alpha-olefin polymerization catalyst which provides
polyolefins having high stereospecificity and bulk density
in high yields with a reduced amount of finely divided
polymer powder produced when alpha-olefins having at least
three carbon atoms are polymerized.
It is a further object of the invention to provide
such a solid titanium catalyst component, a preliminary
olefin polymerization catalyst and an olefin polymerization
catalyst both comprising the solid titanium catalyst
component and a process for the polymerization of olefins
using such catalysts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a process for preparing a
solid titanium catalyst component which comprises:
(1) a step wherein a suspension is prepared which conta
ins a solid material prepared by contacting a magnesiumcompo
und with a first titanium compound and having a
polybasic carboxylic acid ester supported thereon;
(2) a step wherein the solid material is separated
from the suspension; and
(3) a step wherein the solid material is contacted
with a second titanium compound under heating;
wherein while the solid material is separated from
the suspension in the step (2) and the solid material is
supplied to the step (3). the solid material is maintained
at a temperature in the range of 70-130ºC.
The invention further provides an olefin polymerization
catalyst which comprises:
(A) the solid titanium catalyst component as prepared
by the process as mentioned above;
(B) an organometallic compound; and
(C) a silane compound having Si-0-C bond in the
molecule.
The invention also provides a preliminary olefin
polymerization catalyst which is prepared by polymerizing
an olefin or two or more olefins in the presence of catalyst
components comprising:
(A) the solid titanium catalyst component as prepared
by the process as mentioned above;
(B) an organometallic compound; and optionally
(C) a silane compound having Si-O-C bond in the
molecule.
The invention still further provides a process for
the polymerization of olefins which comprises polymerizing
an olefin or copolymerizing two or more olefins in the
presence of the olefin polymerization catalyst as mentioned
above.
According to the invention, there is further provided
a process for the polymerization of olefins which comprises
polymerizing an olefin or copolymerizing two or more olefins
in the presence of a polymerization catalyst which comprises:
the above mentioned preliminary olefin polymerization
catalyst, and optionally
(B) an organometallic compound and/or
(C) a silane compound having Si-O-C bond in the
molecule.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPAYING DRAWING
Fig. 1 shows the steps for preparation of solid
titanium catalyst component and for the polymerization of
olefins according to the invention; and
Fig. 2 shows an example of arrangement of apparastus
for the preparation of solid titanium catalyst component
of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preparation of the solid titanium catalyst component
of the invention will be first described. As illustrated in
Fig. 1, the solid titanium catalyst component is prepared
by carrying out the following steps:
(1) a step wherein a suspension is prepared which
contains a solid material prepared by contacting a magnesium
compound with a first titanium compound and having a
polybasic carboxylic acid ester supported thereon;
(2) a step wherein the solid material is separated
from the suspension; and
(3) a step wherein the solid material is contacted
with a second titanium compound under heating;
wherein while the solid material is separated from
the suspension in the step (2) and the solid material is
supplied to the step (3), the solid material is maintained
at a temperature in the range of 70-130°C .
(Step(l) - magnesium compound)
It is preferred that a magnesium compound is made
into a solution and is then contacted with a first titanium
compound. When a magnesium compound is soluble in a solvent,
the magnesium compound is dissolved in the solvent to
form a solution. When a magnesium compound is prepared as
a solution, for example, as in the case of a Grignard
reagent, the resulting solution may be used as it is. When
a magnesium compound is solubilized with a solubilizing
agent, the magnesium compound may be dissolved in the
solubilizing agent as a solvent. The magnesium compound
may be dissolved in a solvent such as a hydrocarbon solvent
in the presence of the solubilizing agent.
However, when a magnesium compound is used which is
solid at normal temperatures and is not soluble in common
solvents inclusive of the solubilizing agent, the magnesium
compound may be dispersed in a solvent to form a suspension,
and the suspension may be contacted with the first titanium
compound.
The magnesium compound used in the invention may or
may not have a reducing ability. The magnesium compound
having a reducing ability includes an organomagnesium
compound which may be represented by the formula:
XnMgR2-n
wherein n is a numeral which fulfils the condition of
0=n=2; R is a hydrogen, or an alkyl, an aryl or a
cycloalkyl of 1-20 carbons; when n is 0, the two R's may
be the same or different from each other; X is a halogen
a torn.
Illustrative of the magnesium compound having a
reducing ability are dialkyl magnesiums such as dimethyl-
magnesium, diethylmagnesium, dipropylmagnesiurn, dibutyl-
magnesium, diamylmagnesium, dihexylmagnesiurn, didecyl-
magnesium, octylbutylmagnesium or ethylbutylmagnesium;
alkyl magnesium halides such as ethylmagnesium chloride,
propylmagnesium chloride, butylmagnesium chloride, hexyl-
magnesium chloride or amy 1magnesium chloride; and alkyl
magnesium alkoxides such as butylethoxymagnesium, ethyl-
butoxymagnesium or octylbutoxymagnesium. In addition,
alkyl magnesium hydrides such as butylmagnesium hydride are
one of further examples of the magnesium compound having a
reducing ability.
In turn, illustrative of the magnesium compound having
no reducing ability are magnesium halides such as magnesium
chloride, magnesium bromide, magnesium iodide or magnesium
fluoride; alkoxy magnesium halides such as methoxymagnesium
chloride, ethoxymagnesium chloride, isopropoxymagnesium
chloride, butoxymagnesium chloride or octoxymagnesium
chloride; aryloxy magnesium halides such as phenoxymagnesium
chloride or me thylphenoxymagnesium chloride; alkoxy
magnesiums such as ethoxymagnesium, isopropoxymagnesium,
butoxymagnesium, n-octoxymagnesium or 2-ethylhexoxymagnesium;
aryloxy magnesiums such as phenoxymagnesium or dimethyl-
phenoxymagnesium; and magnesium carboxylates such as
magnesium laurate or magnesium stearate.
Beside the above mentioned, magnesium hydride may be
used as a magnesium compound. Metallic magnesium may also
be used in place of the magnesium compound.
The magnesium compound having no reducing ability
may be derived from the magnesium compound having a reducing
ability or may be prepared when the catalyst component is
prepared. In order to prepare a magnesium compound having
no reducing ability from a magnesium compound having a
reducing ability, for example, the latter may be put into
contact with polysiloxane compounds, halogen-containing
silane compounds, halogen-containing aluminum compounds,
esters, alcohols, halogen-containing compounds, or compounds
having hydroxyl groups or active carbon-oxygen bonds in
the molecule.
The magnesium compound, whether it has a reducing
ability or it has not, may be in the form of complex
compounds with organometallic compounds such as of aluminum,
zinc, boron, beryllium, sodium or potassium which will be
hereinafter mentioned, or in the form of mixtures wuth other
metal compounds. The magnesium compound may be used singly
or as a mixture of two or more.
The magnesium compound used in the invention is not
limited to those as exemplified as above, however, it is
preferred that the magnesium compound exists in the form
of halogen-containing magnesium compounds in the solid
titanium catalyst component prepared. Accordingly, when a
magnesium compound containing no halogens is used, it is
desirable that the magnesium compound be contacted with a
halogen-containing compound during the preparation process
of solid titanium catalyst component.
Among the magnesium compounds mentioned above, those
having no reducing ability are preferred, inter alia,
halogen-containing magnesium compounds. In particular,
magnesium chloride, alkoxy magnesium chlorides or aryloxy
magnesium chlorides are most preferred.
When magnesium compounds which are solid at normal
temperatures are used, some of such magnesium compounds
can be solubilized with a solubilizung agent in such a
solubilizung agent, thereby forming a solution.
The solubilizung agent usable includes, for example,
alcohols, phenols, ketones, aldehydes, ethers, amines,
pyridines and metal acid esters. More specifically, the
solubilizung agent may be exemplified by alcohols of 1-18
carbons such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol,
pentanol, hexanol, 2-ethylhexanol, octanol, dodecanol,
octadecyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol,
phenylethyl alcohol, cumyl alcohol or isopropylbenzyl
alcohol; halogen-containing alcohols of 1-18 carbons such
as trichloromethanol, trichloroethanol or trichlorohexanol ;
phenols of 6-20 carbons which may carry lower alkyl groups
as substituents thereon such as phenol, cresol, xylenol,
ethylphenol, propylphenol, nonylphenol, cumylphenol or
naphthol; ketones of 3-15 carbons such as acetone, methyl
ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl n-butyl ketone,
acetophenone, benzophenone, benzoquinone or cyclohexanone;
aldehydes of 2-15 carbons such as acetaldehyde,
propionaIdehyde, octyl aldehyde, benzaldehyde, tolualdehyde
or naphthoaIdehyde; ethers of 2-20 carbons such as methyl
ether, ethyl ether, isopropyl ether, butyl ether, amyl ether,
tetrahydrofuran, ethyl benzyl ether, ethylene glycol
dibutyl ether, anisole or diphenyl ether; amines such as
trimethy lamine, trie thylamine, tributylamine, tribenzyl amine,
tetramethylenediamine or hexamethylenediamine; pyridines
such as pyridine, me thy 1 pyridines, ethylpyridines,
propylpyridines, dimethy 1 pyridines, ethylmethylpyridines,
trimethylpyridines, phenylpyridines, benzylpyridines or
chloropyridines; and metal acid esters such as tetraethoxy-
titanium, tetra-n-propoxytitanium, tetraisopropoxytitanium,
tetrabutoxytitanium, tetrahexoxytitanium, tetraethoxy-
zirconium or tetrabutoxyzirconium.
Among the variety of solubilizing agents as mentioned
above, alcohols or metal acid esters are preferred, and in
particular, alcohols of not less than 6 carbons are most
preferred. In order to solubilize a magnesium compound
with an alcohol of not less than 6 carbons, the alcohol is
used usually in an amount of not less than 1 mole part,
preferably in an amount of not less than 1.5 mole parts,
per mole part of magnesium compound. There is no specific
upper limit in the amount of the solubilizing agent used,
however, it is preferred that the solubilizing agent is used
in an amount of not more than 40 mole parts per mole part
of the magnesium compound used from the economical stand-
point. On the other hand, when a lower alcohol of not more
than 5 carbons is used as a solubilizing agent to solubilize
a magnesium compound, it is necessary to use the
solubilizing agent in an amount of not less than about 15
mole parts per mole part of the magnesium compound used.
A solid magnesium compound is solubilized with a
solubilizing agent by admixing the magnesium compound with
the agent, if necessary followed by heating the mixture.
The magnesium compound is solubilized in this way at a
temperature usually in the range of 0-200ºC, preferably
in the range of 20-180ºC , most preferably in the range of
50-150ºC .
A solid magnesium compound may be dissolved in a
solvent such as a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of
the solubilizing agent. The hydrocarbon solvent includes,
for example, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane,
heptane, octane, decane, dodecane, tetradecane or kerosene;
alicyclic hydrocarbons such as cyclopentane,
me thylcyclopentane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane,
cyclooctane or cyclohexene; halogenated hydrocarbons such
as dichloroethane, dichloropropane, trichloroethylene or
chlorobenzene; and aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene,
toluene or xylene.
According to the invention, it is especially preferred
that a magnesium compound, preferably a halogenated
magnesium, inter alia, magnesium chloride, is used in the
form of a solution in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence
of an alcohol as a solubilizing agent. However, it is also
preferred that a dialkoxy magnesium such as diethoxymagnesium
is dispersed in a hydrocarbon solvent and the resulting
suspension is used for contact with the first titanium
compound.
The solubilizing agent solublizes a solid magnesium
compound presumably on account of formation of complexes
with the magnesium compound. However, when the lower
aliphatic alcohol is used as a solubilizing agent in an
insufficient amount, it may form coplexes with a magnesium
compound, but it does not solubilizes the magnesium compound
therein. In this case, however, it is possible to prepare
a suspension which contains a solid material having a
polybasic carboxylic acid ester supported thereon by the
following process in the step (1). Namely, the lower
alcohol is reacted with the magnesium compound in a hydro-
carbon solvent in the presence of a surfactant to form
complexes with the magnesium compound to provide a
suspension which contains the complex, and the suspension
is then cooled to provide a suspension which contains a
solid product, followed by supporting a polybasic carboxylic
acid ester thereon.
(Step (1) - first titanium compound)
According to the invention, a titanium compound which
is tetravalent and is per se liquid at notmal temperatures
is preferably used as the first titanium compound. The
first titanium compound preferebly used in the invention
has the formula:

wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, preferably an
alkyl of 1-18 carbons; X is a halogen atom, preferably a
chlorine or bromine atom; m is an integer of 0-4.
The first titanium compound as mentioned above
includes, for example, tetrahalogenated titaniums such as
titanium tetrachloride, titanium tetrabromide or titanium
tetraiodide; trihalogenated alkoxy titaniums such as
trichloromethoxytitanium, trichloroethoxytitanium,
trichloro-n-butoxytitanium, tribromoethoxytitanium or
tribromoisobutoxytitanium; d i ha 1 ogena ted dialkoxy titaniums
such as dichlorodimethoxytitanium, dich1orodiethoxytitanium,
dichlorodi-n-butoxytitanium or dibromodiethoxytitaniurn;
monohalogenated trialkoxy titaniums such as
chlorotrimethoxyti tanium, chlorotriethoxyti tanium,
chlorotri-n-butoxytitanium or bromotriethoxytitanium; and
tetraalkoxy titaniums such as tetramethoxytitanium,
tetraethoxytitanium, tetra-n-butoxytitanium,
tetraisobutoxytitanium or tetra (2-ethylhexyloxy)titanium.
The first titanium compound may be used singly or as a
mixture of two or more. Among the first titanium compounds
as above, a tetraalkoxy titanium is preferred with titanium
tetrachloride being most preferred.
The first titanium compound is per se liquid at normal
temperatures, and may be used as it is. However, if
necessary, the first titanium compound may be used as a
solution in a hydrocarbon solvent. The hydrocarbon solvent
includes, as mentioned hereinbefore, for example, aliphatic
hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane, heptane, octane,
decane, dodecane, tetradecane or kerosene; alicyclic
hydrocarbons such as cyclopentane, me thy lcyclopentane,
cyclohexane, me thylcyclohexane, cyclooctane or cyclohexene;
halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloroethane,
dichloropropane, trichloroethylene or chlorobenzene; and
aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene or xylene.
The first titanium compound is used usually in an
amount of 0.01-1000 mole parts, preferably in an amount of
0.1-200 mole parts, per mole part of the magnesium compound
used.
(Step (1) - electron donor)
When a magnesium compound in the form of a solution
is contacted with the first titanium compound to form a
solid product, it is desirable that the magnesium compound
is contacted with the first titanium compound in the
presence of an electron donor so that the finally obtained
solid titanium catalyst component having a uniform shape
and particle size.
The electron donor usable includes, for example,
organic carboxylic acid esters preferably of 2-18 carbons
such as methyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate,
vinyl acetate, propyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, t-butyl
acetate, octyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, methyl
chloroacetate, ethyl dichloroacetate, ethyl propionate,
ethyl pyruvate, ethyl pivalate, methyl butyrate, ethyl
valerate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl crotonate, ethyl
cyclohexanecarboxylate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate,
propyl benzoate, butyl benzoate, octyl benzoate, cyclohexyl
benzoate, phenyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate, methyl toluylate,
ethyl toluylate, amyl toluylate, ethyl ethylbenzoate,
methyl anisate, ethyl anisate, ethyl ethoxybenzoate,
T -butyrolactone, d -valerolactone, coumarin or phthalides;
aliphatic carboxylic acids such as formic acid, acetic
acid, propionic acid, butyric acid or valeric acid; acid
anhydrides such as acetic anhydride, phthalic anhydride,
maleic anhydride, benzoic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride
or tetrahydrophthalic anhydride; ketones such as acetone,
methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl n-butyl
ketone, acetophenone, benzophenone, benzoquinone or
cyclohexanone; ethers such as methyl ether, ethyl ether,
isopropyl ether, butyl ether, amyl ether, ethyl benzyl ether,
ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, anisole or diphenyl ether;
alkoxyl group-containing alcohols such as butyl cellosolve
or ethyl cellosolve; aliphatic carbonates such as dimethyl
carbonate, diethyl carbonate or ethylene carbonate; alkyl
silicates such as methyl silicate or ethyl silicate; silane
compounds such as diphenyldimethoxysilane; and
organophosphorous compounds, preferably organic phosphites,
such as trimethyl phosphite or triethyl phosphite.
The electron donor may be used usually in an amount
of 0.01-5 mole parts, preferably in an amount of 0.02-2
mole parts, most preferably in an amount of 0.05-1 mole
parts, per mole part of the magnesium compound used.
(Step (1) - Polybasic carboxylic acid ester)
According to the invention, there is prepared in the
step (1) a suspension which comprises a solid material
prepared by contacting the magnesium compound with the
first titanium compound and having a polybasic carboxylic
acid ester supported thereon. The polybasic carboxylic
acid ester usable includes, for example, aliphatic,
alicyclic and aromatic polybasic carboxylic acid esters.
The aliphatic polybasic carboxylic acid ester
includes, for example, diethyl succinate, dibutyl succinate,
diethyl me thy 1 succina te, diisopropyl or - me thylglutarate ,
diethyl methylmalonate, diethyl ethylmalonate, diethyl
isopropylmalonate, diethyl butylma1onate, diethyl
phenylmalonate, diethyl diethylmalonate, diethyl
dibutylmalonate, monooctyl maleate, dioctyl maleate,
dibutyl maleate, dibutyl butylmaleate, diethyl butylmaleate,
diisopropyl ß -methy 1glutarate, dial 1 y 1 ethylsuccinate,
di (2-ethylhexyl) fumarate, diethyl itaconate, dioctyl
citraconate, diethyl adipate, diisopropyl adipate,
diisopropyl sebacate, di(n-butyl) sebacate, di(n-octyl)
sebacate and di (2-ethylhexyl) sebacate.
The alicyclic polybasic carboxylic acid ester
includes, for example, 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid
diethyl ester, 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diisobutyl
ester, tetrahydrophthaiic acid diethyl ester and nagic
acid diethyl ester.
The aromatic polybasic carboxylic acid ester includes,
for example, monoethyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate,
methylethyl phthalate, monoisobutyl phthalate, diethyl
phthalate, ethylisobutyl phthalate, di(n-propy 1) phthalate,
diisopropyl phthalate, di(n-butyl) phthalate, diisobutyl
phthalate, di(n-heptyl) phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate, di(n-octyl) phthalate, dineopentyl) phthalate,
didecyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate, diphenyl
phthalate, diethyl naphthalenedicarboxylate, dibutyl
naphthalenedicarboxylate, triethyl trimellitate or
dibutyl trimellitate.
According to the invention, as the polybasic carboxylic
acid ester, an aromatic ortho-dicarboxylic acid monoester
or diester which has the formula (I):

wherein Ar is a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group of 6-
14 carbons; R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1-20
carbons; and R' is a hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon
group of 1-20 carbons, is in particular preferred, which
will be for simplicity referred to as the aromatic
dicarboxylic acid esters herein after.
In the above formula, Ar is preferably phenylene or
naphthylene which may carry thereon alkyl substiuents.
When R and R' are hydrocarbon groups, they may be the same
or different from each other. The hydrocarbon group
includes, for example, an alkyl or a cycloalkyl of 1-20
carbons, an aryl, an alkyl aryl or an aryl alkyl of 6-20
carbons.
The aromatic dicarboxylic acid ester includes, for
example, monoethyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate,
methylethyl phthalate, monoisobutyl phthalate, diethyl
phthalate, ethylisobutyl phthalate, di(n-propyl) phthalate,
diisopropyl phthalate, di(n-butyl) phthalate, diisobutyl
phthalate, di(n-heptyl) phthalate, di (2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate, di(n-octyl) phthalate, dineopentyl phthalate,
didecyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate, diphenyl
phthalate, diethyl naphthalenedicarboxylate or dibutyl
naphthalenedicarboxylate. The aromatic dicarboxylic acid
ester may be used singly or as a mixture of two or more.
Among the above exemplified aromatic dicarboxylic acid
esters, phthalic acid dialkyl esters are particularly
preferred.
(Step (1) - preparation of solid material)
According to the invention, in the step (1), the
suspension which contains a solid material having the
polybasic carboxylic acid ester supported thereon may be
prepared either by contacting the magnesium compound with
the first titanium compound in the presence of the
polybasic carboxylic acid ester, or by contacting the
magnesium comound with the first titanium compound, and
then contacting the resulting soild product with the
polybasic carboxylic acid ester, the latter being preferred.
The contact of the magnesium comound with the first titanium
compound in the step (1) may be often referred to as the
first titanation hereinafter.
Further according to the invention, it is in particular
preferred that a solution of the magnesium comound is
contacted with the first titanium compound in the presence
of the electron donor to carry out the first titanation
thereby to form a solid product, and the solid product is
then contacted with the polybasic carboxylic acid ester to
support the ester on the solid product thereby to form a
suspension which contains the resultant solid material.
The preparation of the suspension which contains the solid
material in this manner provides a solid titanium catalyst
component which is uniform in shape and particle size.
Alternatively, as set forth hereinbefore, such a suspension
which contains the solid material may be prepared by
contacting the magnesium comound with the first titanium
compound in the presence of the polybasic carboxylic acid
ester. The preparation of the suspension which contains
the solid material in this manner also provides a solid
titanium catalyst component which is uniform in shape and
particle size.
According to the invention, there are further
processes for preparing the suspension which contains the
solid material on which a polybasic carboxylic acid ester
is supported.
(1) There is prepared a suspension of a dialkoxymagnesium
represented by the formula:

wherein R1 is an alkyl of 1-20 carbons, in a hydrocarbon
solvent, and the suspension is contacted with the first
titanium compound to provide a solid product. While or
after the contact, a polybasic carboxylic acid ester is
supported on the solid product.
(2) There is prepared a solution of an organic magnesium
compound represented by the formula:

wherein Rz and R3 are independently an alkyl of 1-20 carbons
and the solution is contacted with the first titanium
compound to provide a solid product. While or after the
contact, a polybasic carboxylic acid ester is supported
on the solid product.
(3) There is prepared a suspension of solid complexes of
a halogenated magnesium compound with an aliphatic lower
alcohol of five carbons or less in a hydrocarbon solvent
in the presence of a surfactant. The suspension is then
cooled to provide a solid product. While or after the
cooling, a polybasic carboxylic acid ester is supported
on the solid product.
According to the invention, the suspension which
contains the solid material having the polybasic carboxylic
acid ester supported thereon may be prepared in the
presence of a porous carrier material so that the resulting
solid material is supported on the porous carrier material.
The porous carrier material usable includes, for
example, inorganic oxides such as alumina, silica, boron
oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, titanium oxide, zinc
oxide, tin oxide, barium oxide or thorium oxide, and resins
such as a styrene-divinyl benzene copolymer resin. Among
these carrier materials, alumina, silica or a styrene-
divinylbenzene copolymer resin is preferred.
The temperature at which the magnesium comound is
contacted with the first titanium compound and the polybasic
carboxylic acid ester is then supported thereon to form
the suspension which contains the solid material, or the
magnesium comound is contacted with the first titanium
compound in presence of the polybasic carboxylic acid ester
to form the suspension which contains the solid material,
is usually in the range of — 70ºC to 200ºC, preferably
in the range of — 50°C to 150°C, most preferably in the
range of -30ºC to 130ºC .
The polybasic carboxylic acid ester is supported on
the solid product prepared from the magnesium comound and
the first titanium compound usually in an amount of 0.01-
5 mole parts, pfeferably in an amount of 0.02-0.5 mole parts,
per mole part of the magnesium comound used.
(Step (2))
In the step (2), the solid material is separated from
the suspension prepared in the step (1) and the solid
material is supplied to the step (3). According to the
invention, while the solid material is separated from the
suspension and the solid material is supplied to the step
(3), the solid material is maintained at a temperature in
the range of 70-130 ºC , preferably in the range of 75-125ºC.
More specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 2, as the
step (1), the suspension is prepared in a first reactor 1,
and after the reaction, as the step (2), the suspension is
supplied to a first filter 2 through a first pipe A where
the solid material is separated from the suspension by
filtration. The resulting solid material is then supplied
to a second reactor 3 through a second pipe B where the
solid material is contacted with a second titanium as the
step (3) which will be set forth in detail hereinafter.
The contact of the solid material with the second titanium
compound in the step (3) may be often referred to as the
second titanation hereinafter. The step (1) to the step
(3) via the step (2) is carried out in this manner.
The solid material is contacted with the second
titanium compound in the second reactor 3 to carry out the
second titanation to provide a suspension as set forth above,
and the suspension is then supplied to a second filter 4
through a third pipe C where the solid material is separated.
The solid material is then supplied to a washing apparatus
5 through a pipe D where the solid material is washed with,
for example, a hydrocarbon such as hexane repeatedly until
no titanium is detected in the washing. The solid material
is finally supplied to a drying apparatus 6 through a pipe
E where the solid material is dried thereby providing the
solid titanium catalyst component of the invention.
When the step (1), step (2) and step (3) are carried
out in a manner as above, all the first pipe A, the first
filter 2 and the second pipe B should be maintained at a
temperature in the range of 70-130ºC so that the solid
material is maintained at the temperature according to the
invention.
When the suspension which contains the solid material
is supplied from the first reactor 1 to the first filter 2
through the first pipe A to separate the solid material
from the suspension, the liquid may be decanted from the
suspension and the residual may be supplied to the first
filter 2, if necessary.
If necessary, the second titanation may be repeated.
In particular, when a magnesium compound is used in the
form of suspension in the step (1), it is preferred that
the second titanation is repeated. By way of example, as
illustrated in Fig. 2, after the second titanation is carried
out in the second reactor 3, the resultant suspension is
again supplied to the first filter 2 through the pipe B'
where the solid material is separated from the suspension
by filtration, and the solid material is then again supplied
to the second reactor 3 through the pipe B where the solid
material is contacted with the second titanium compound to
carry out the second titanation again. When the second
titanation is repeated in this manner, the pipe B' and the
solid material therein should be maintained at the
temperature in the range hereinbefore defined as well.
The second titanation may be repeated in another
manner. Although not shown in the drawing, a further filter
is provided in addition to the first filter 2 to which the
suspension is supplied from the first filter 2, and the
suspension is filtrated with the further filter, and the
resulting solid material is then supplied to the second
reactor 3 through a further pipe. When the second titanation
is repeated in this manner, the solid material should be
maintained at the temperature in the range hereinbefore
defined within the further pipe.
As set forth in detail as above, while the solid
material is separated from the suspension in the step (2)
and the solid material is supplied to the step (3), the
solid material is maintained at the temperature as herein-
before defined. This makes it possible to provide a solid
titanium catalyst component which in turn forms an olefin
polymerization catalyst which makes it possible to produce
polyolefins with a reduced amount of finely divided polymer
powder.
The solid material separated from the suspension in
the step (2) may be washed with a hydrocarbon solvent, if
necessary, before it is supplied to the step (3). The
hydrocarbon solvent usable may be the same as the
hydrocarbon solvents which are used as a diluent for the
first titanium compound. In particular, aliphatic
hydrocarbon solvents such as hexane, heptane or decane, or
aromatic hydrocarbon solvents such as toluene or xylene
are preferred. Furthermoe, when the solid material
separated from the suspension in the step (2) is supplied
to the step (3), a small amount of a titanium compound,
which may be the same as either the first or the second,
may be added to the solid material.
The infrared absorption specrum of the solid material
which is produced in the step (1) in an industrial scale
as exemplified in examples which will be hereinafter
described shows an absorption peak which, however, is not
found in the infrared absorption specrum of the solid
material prepared in a laboratory scale. On the other hand,
the reaction of titanium tetrachloride with diisobutyl
phthalate at a temperature of not more than 70 ºC provides
a solid product which has the same infrared absorption
peak as above. Accordingly, it is likely that while the
solid material is separated from the suspension in the
step (2) and the solid material is supplied to the step (3),
if the solid material is placed at a temperature not more
than 70ºC, undesirable reactions take place between the
titanium compound and the polybasic carboxylic acid ester,
adversely affecting the finally obtained solid titanium
catalyst component. It is also found, as seen in Reference
Examples 2 and 4 which will be described hereinafter, that
when the solid material prepared in the step (1) is placed
at a temperature of more than 13 5 ºC , the finally obtained
solid titanium catalyst component has a tendency to support
a smaller amount of titanium thereon.
(Step (3) - preparation of solid titanium catalyst component)
According to the invention, the solid material
prepared in the step (2) is contacted with a second titanium
compound in the step (3) under heating. The second titanium
compound may be the same as or different from the first
titanium compound used in the step (1) if it is per se
liquid at normal temperatures. As in the case with the
first titanium compound, the second titanium compound is
preferably a titanium tetrachloride, and most preferably
it is titanium tetrachloride. The contact of the solid
material with the second titanium compound may be carried
out in the presence of such a hydrocarbon solvent as is
exemplified as the diluent for the first titanium compound.
In the step (3), the second titanium compound is used
in an amount of 5-200 mole parts, preferably 10-100 mole
parts, per mole part of the magnesium compound used.
The solid material is contacted with the second
titanium compound usually at a temperature of 40-200ºC,
preferably 50-180ºC, more preferably 60-160ºC, for a period
of one minute to 10 hours, preferably 10 minutes to 5 hours.
It is believed that the reaction of the solid material with
the second titanium compound under heating forms a solid
titanium catalyst component of the invention.
After the solid material is contacted with the second
titanium compound for a time as mentioned, the resulting
solid titanium catalyst component is recovered from the
suspension by filtration. It is desirable that the thus
recovered solid titanium catalyst component is washed with
a hydrocarbon solvent such as hexane repeatedly until no
free titanium is detected from the washing.
The thus obtained solid titanium catalyst component
of the invention contains magnesium, titanium, halogen atoms
and the polybasic carboxylic acid ester, and in addition,
the electron donor if it has been used.
According to the invention, the solid titanium
catalyst component contains magnesium in an amount of 5-35%
by weight, preferably 8-30% by weight, more preferably 10-
28% by weight, most preferably 12-25% by weight; titanium
in an amount of 0.3-10% by weight, preferably 0.5-8% by
weight, more preferably 0.8-6% by weight, most preferably
1-5% by weight; halogen atoms in an amount of 30-75% by
weight, preferably 35-75% by weight, more preferably 38-72%
by weight, most preferably 40-70% by weight; and the
polybasic carboxylic acid ester, and if used, the electron
donor, in an amount of 0.5-30% by weight, preferably 1-27%
by weight, more preferably 3-25% by weight, most preferably
5-23% by weight.
Further according to the invention, the solid titanium
catalyst component has a halogen/titanium (atomic ratio)
usually of 2-200, preferably 4-90; a magnesium/titanium
(atomic ratio) usually of 1-100, preferably 2-50; and an
electron donor/titanium (molar ratio) usually of 0.01-100,
preferably 0.05-50.
The solid titanium catalyst component as defined as
above mentioned, when it is used as a component of an olefin
polymerization catalyst, provides polyolefins in high yields,
and in addition, when it is used as a polymerization
catalyst for alpha-olefins having at least three carbon
atoms, it provides highly stereospecific polyolefins in
high yields with a reduced amount of finely divided polymer
powder (for example, having a particle size of not more
than 100 micron meters).
(Preparation of olefin polymerization catalyst)
The olefin polymerization catalyst of the invention
comprises the solid titanium catalyst component, an
organometallic compound and a silane compound having Si-O-C
bond in the molecule. The organometallic compound usable
preferably contains a metal of the group I, II or III of
the periodic table. More specifically, the organometallic
compound includes, for example, organoaluminum compounds,
complex alkylated compounds of aluminum with one of the
group I metals, or organometallic compounds of the group
II metals.
(Preparation of olefin polymerization catalyst -
organoaluminum compounds)
One of the organoaluminum compounds usable preferably
has the formula:

wherein Ra is a hydrocarbon group of 1-12 carbons; X is a
halogen atom or hydrogen atom; and n is a numeral in the
range of 1-3.
The hydrocarbon group Ra is preferably an alkyl, a
cycloalkyl or an aryl of 1-12 carbons, and is exemplified
by methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, pentyl,
hexyl, octyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl or tolyl.
Examples of preferred organoaluminum compounds are
trialkyl aluminums such as trimethylaluminum,
triethylaluminum, triisopropylaluminum,triisobutylaluminum,
trioctylaluminum or tri (2-ethylhexyl)aluminum; alkenyl
aluminums such as isoprenylaluminum; dialkyl aluminum
halides such as dimethylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum
chloride, diisopropylaluminum chloride, diisobutylaluminum
chloride or dimethylaluminum bromide; alkyl aluminum
sesquihalides such as methylaluminum sesquichloride,
ethylaluminum sesquichloride, isopropylaluminum
sesquichloride, butylaluminum sesquichloride or
ethy la 1uminum sesquibromide; alkyl aluminum dihalides such
as me thy laluminum dichloride, ethylaluminum dichloride,
isopropylaluminum dichloride or ethylaluminum dibromide;
alkyl aluminum hydrides such as die thylaluminum hydride or
diisobutylaluminum hydride.
Another organoaluminum compounds usable has the
formula:

wherein Ra is the same as above mentioned; Y is -0Rb group,
-0SiRc3 group, -0AlRdz group, -NRe2 group, -SiRf3 group
or -N(R9)AlRhz group; n is a numeral of 1-2; Rb, Rc,
Rd and Rh are independently methyl, ethyl, isopropyl,
isobutyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl, for example; Re is hydrogen,
methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, phenyl or trime thylsillyl, for
example; and Rf and R9 are indeoendently methtyl or ethyl,
for example.
Accordingly, these organoaluminum compounds may be
exemplified by, for example;

As further examples of organoaluminum compounds usable,
there may be mentioned such organoaluminum compounds as
have two or more aluminum atoms connected with each other
by oxygen or nitrogen atoms. Examples of such organoaluminum
compounds are (C2H5)zAl0Al (CZH5)z, (C4H9)zA 1OA1 (C4H,)z or
(C2H5)zAINAl (CzH5)Al(CZH5)z. Aluminoxanes such as
methylaluminoxane may also be used as an organoaluminum
compound.
Among the above mentioned, organoaluminum compounds
having the formula Ra3Al, RanA1 (0Rb)3-n or
RanAl(0AlRdz)3-n are particularly preferred.
The complex alkylated compound of aluminum with a
group I metal has the formula:

wherein M1 is Li, Na or K; Rj is a hydrocarbon group of
1-15 carbons. The complex alkylated compound is exemplified
by LiAl(C2H5)4 or LiAl(C7H15)4, for example.
The organometallic compound of a group II metal has
the formula :
wherein Rk and Rl are independently a hydrocarbon group
of 1-15 carbons or a halogen atom; Rk and Rl may be the
same or different from each other; however, both are not
halogen atoms at the same time; M2 is Mg, Zn or Cd.
The organometallic compound of a group II metal may
be exemplified by, for example, diethylzinc,
die thylmagnesium, butylethylmagnesium, ethylmagnesium
chloride or butylmagnesium chloride.
The organometallic compound may be used singly or as
a mixture of two or more.
(Preparation of olefin polymerization catalyst - silane
compounds)
The olefin polymerization catalyst of the invention
is prepared from the solid titanium catalyst component, the
organometallic compound, both already described hereinbefore,
and a silane compound having Si-O-C bond in the molecule.
The silane compound usable has preferably the formula:

wherein R and R' are independently a hydrocarbon group having
1-20 carbons which may carry halogen atoms as substituents
thereon; and n is an integer of 0-4.
Accordingly, the silane compound includes, for
example, trimethylmethoxysilane, trimethy 1ethoxysilane,
tricyclopentylmethoxysilane, trieyelopentylethoxysilane,
dicyclopentylmethylmethoxysilane, dicyclopentylethylmethoxy-
si lane, dicyclopentylmethylethoxysilane,
cyclopentyldime thylmethoxysilane, cyclopentyldiethylmethoxy-
silane, cyclopen tyld ime thylethoxysilane,
dicyclohexyldimethoxysilane, cyclohexylmethyldimethoxysilane,
eyelohexylmethy 1 diethoxysilane, dicyclopen tyldimethoxysilane,
bis (2-methylcyclopentyl)dimethoxysilane,
bis(2,3-dimethylcyclopentyl)dimethoxysilane,
dicyclopentyldiethoxysilane, dime thyldimethoxysilane,
dimethyldiethoxysilane, diisopropyldimethoxysilane,
t-butylmethyldimethoxysilane, t-butylmethyldiethoxysilane,
t-amylmethyldiethoxysilane, diphenyldimethoxysilane,
phenylme thyld imethoxysilane, diphenyldiethoxysilane,
bis (o-tolyl)dimethoxysilane, bis(m-tolyl)dimethoxysilane,
bis(p-tolyl)dimethoxysilane, bis(p-tolyl)diethoxysilane,
bis (ethyl phenyl)dimethoxysilane, ethyltrimethoxysilane,
ethyl triethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane,
methyltrimethoxysilane, n-propyltriethoxysilane,
decyltrimethoxysilane, decyltriethoxysilane,
phenyltrimethoxysilane, r -ehloropropyltrimethoxysilane,
methyl triethoxysilane, ethyl triethoxysilane,
vinyltriethoxysilane, t-butyltriethoxysilane,
n-butyltriethoxysilane, isobutyltriethoxysilane,
phenyl triethoxysilane, r -aminopropyltriethoxysi lane,
chlorotriethoxysilane, ethyltriisopropxysi lane,
vinyltributoxysilane, cyclohexyltrimethoxysilane,
cyclohexyltriethoxysilane, 2-norbornanetrimethoxysilane,
2-norbornanetriethoxysilane, 2-norbornanemethyldimethoxy-
silane, trimethylphenoxysilane, methyltrial lyloxysilane,
vnyltris (ß-methoxyethoxy)silane, vinyl triacetoxysi lane,
cyclopentyltrimethoxysilane, 2-methylcyclopentyltrimethoxy-
silane, 2,3-dimethylcyclopentyltrimethoxysilane,
cyclopentyltriethoxysilane or hexenyltrimethoxysilane.
Among the above silane compounds, there are in
particular preferred cyclohexylmethyldimethoxysilane,
ethyltriethoxysilane, n-propyltriethoxysilane,
t-butyltriethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane,
phenyltriethoxysilane, vinyltributoxysilane,
diphenyldimethoxysilane, phenylmethyl dimethoxysilane,
bis (p-tolyl)dimethoxysilane, p-tolylmethyldime thoxysilane,
dicyclohexyldimethoxysilane, 2-norbornanetriethoxysilane,
2-norbornanemethyldimethoxysilane, phenyltriethoxysilane,
dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane, hexenyltrimethoxysilane,
cyclopentyltriethoxysilane, tricyclopentylmethoxysi 1 ane or
cyclopen tyldimethylmethoxysilane.
(Preparation of olefin polymerization catalyst)
The olefin polymerization catalyst of the invention
compri ses:
(A) the solid titanium catalyst component as prepared
as mentioned above;
(B) the organometallic compound as mentioned as above;
and
(C) the silane compound having Si-O-C bond in the
molecule as mentioned above.
The organometallic compund (B) is used in terms of
metal contained in the compound usually in an amount of
about 1-2000 mole parts, preferably about 2-500 mole parts,
per mole part of titanium atom in the solid titanium
catalyst component. The silane compound (C) is used usually
in an amount of about 0.001-10 mole parts, preferably about
0.01-5 mole parts, per mole part of the metal atom of the
organometallic compound.
For the polymerization of olefins, the solid titanium
catalyst component (A) is used in terms of titanium atom
usually in an amount of about 0.001-100 millimole parts,
preferably about 0.05-20 millimole parts, per liter of
reaction volume of reactor.
The olefin polymerization catalyst of the invention
is advantageously used for the (co)polymerization of
ethylene and alpha-olefins such as propylene, 1-butene,
1-pentene, 1-hexene, 3-methyl-1 -butene, 3-methy 1 -1-pentene,
3-ethyl -1-pentene, 4-methy 1 -1-pentene, 4,4-dimethy 1 -1 -
pentene, 4-methy 1 -1-hexene, 4,4-dimethy 1 - 1-hexene, 4-ethyl-
1-hexene, 3-ethy 1 -1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene,
1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene or 1-eicosene.
Besides the above, the olefin polymerization catalyst is
used for polymerization of other vinyl compounds. The
vinyl compound includes, for example, cycloolefins such as
cyclopentene, cycloheptene, norbornene, 5-ethy 1-2-norbornene,
tetracyclododecene or 2-ethy 1 -1,4,5,8-dimethano-1,2,3,4,4a,
5,8,8a-octahydronaphthalene; and vinyl compounds such as
styrene, dimethylstyrenes, allylnaphthalenes,
a 1lylnorbornanes, vinylnaphtha lenes, allyltoluenes,
allyl benzene, vinylcyclopentane, vinylcyclohexane,
vinylcycloheptane or allyltrialkylsilanes.
However, the olefin polymerization catalyst of the
invention is particularly useful for the polymerization of
ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 3-methy 1 -1-butene, 3-methyl-
1-pentene, 4-methy 1 -1-pentene, vinylcyclohexane,
dimethylstyrenes, allyltrialkylsilanes or allylnaphthalenes.
(Process for polymerization of olefins)
The process for the polymerization of olefins
according to the invention comprises polymerizing an olefin
or copolymerizing two or more olefins in the presence of
the olefin polymerization catalyst as mentioned above which
comprises the solid titanium catalyst component, the
organometallic compound and the silane compound having
Si-O-C bond in the molecule.
A small amount of diene compounds may be copolymerized
with the olefins as above mentioned. The diene compound
includes, for example, butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene,
1,4-pentadiene, 1,3-hexadiene, 1,4-hexadiene, 1,5-hexadiene,
4-methyl -1,4-hexadiene, 5-methy 1 -1,4-hexadiene, 6-methyl-
1,6-octadiene, 7-methy 1 -1,6-octadiene, 6-ethy 1 -1,6-octadiene,
6-propyl -1,6-octadiene, 6-butyl -1,6-octadiene, 6-methyl-
1,6-nonadiene, 7-methy 1 -1,6-nonadiene, 6-ethyl -1,6-nonadiene,
7-ethy 1 -1,6-nonadiene, 6-me thy 1 -1,6-decadiene, 7-methyl-
1,6-decadiene, 6-methy 1 -1,6-undecadiene, 1,7-octadiene,
1,9-decadiene, ethy 1idenenorbornene, vinylnorbornene or
dicyclopen tadiene.
The polymerization of olefins may be carried out by
any process; such as liquid phase polymerization, e.g.,
solution or suspension polymerization, or gas phase
polymerization. When the polymerization is carried out in
a slurry, such an inert hydrocarbon solvent as mentioed
hereinbefore may be used as a reaction solvent, or an
olefin which is liquid at a temperature at which the
reaction is carried out may also be used as a reaction
solvent.
The resulting polyolefins can be controlled in their
molecular weight by using a molecular weight controlling
agent such as hydrogen thereby to provide polyolefins
having high melt indexes.
The polymerization of olefins is carried out usually
at a temperature of about 20-300ºC, preferably at about 50-
150°C , usually under a pressure of normal to 100 kg/cmz,
preferably about 2-50 kg/cmz, although somewhat depending
on the individual olefins used or manners by which olefins
are polymerized. The polymerization of olefins is carried
out either batchwise, semi -batchwise or continuously. If
necessary, the polymerization may be carried out in two or
more stages under different reaction conditions.
The use of a single olefin provides a homopolymer of
the olefin, while the use of two more olefins provides a
random or block copolymer of the olefins.
(Preparation of preliminary olefin polymerization catalyst)
According to the invention, a preliminary olefin
polymerization catalyst may be prepared and then the olefin
polymerization catalyst may be prepared therefrom.
The preliminary olefin polymerization catalyst is
prepared by polymerizing an olefin or two or more olefins
preliminarily in the presence of catalyst components
comprising:
(A) the solid titanium catalyst component as prepared
as mentioned above;
(B) the organometallic compound as mentioned above;
and optionally
(C) the silane compound having Si-O-C bond in the
molecule as mentioned above.
For the preparation of the preliminary olefin
polymerization catalyst, any alpha-olefin having at least
two carbons may be used with no limitation. The alpha-
olefin usable includes, for example, ethylene, propylene,
1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-
1-pentene, 3-ethyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 4,4-
dimethyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-hexene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-hexene,
4-ethyl-l-hexene, 3-ethyl-1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene,
1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene or
1-eicosene. Other vinyl compounds or polyene compounds
mentioned hereinbefore may be used in place of the olefins
above, or may be preliminarily polymerized togeter with the
olefins above. The olefin, vinyl compound or polyene
compound may be used singly or as a mixture of two or more.
The olefin used in the preparation of preliminary olefin
polymerization catalyst may be the same as or different
front the oefin which is polymerized in a full scale later.
There is no limitation in the method for preliminary
polymerization of olefins. By way of example, the olefin
may be polymerized in the liquid phase, if necessary in
the presence of an inert reaction solvent, or in the gas
phase. However, among these methods, it is preferred that
the preliminary polymerization is carried out in an inert
reaction solvent in the presence of the catalyst components
under relatively mild reaction conditions. The resulting
polymer thus preliminarily polymerized may be soluble or
not in the solvent, with the latter being preferred.
The preliminary polymerization of olefins is carried
out either batchwise, semi -batchwise or continuously at a
temperature in the range of about —20ºC to 100ºC,
preferably at about — 20ºC to 80ºC, more preferably at about
-10ºC to 40 ºC .
In the preliminary polymerization of olefins, the
catalyst may be used in a concentration higher than in the
later full scale polymerization. Although depending upon
the individual catalyst components used, the solid titanium
catalyst component (A) is used in terms of titanium atom in
an amount of about 0.001-5000 millimole parts, preferably
about 0.01-1000 millimole parts, more preferably about 0.1-
500 millimole parts, per liter of the volume of reactor,
while the organometallic compound (B) is used in such an
amount that prelinary (co)polymers are formed usually in
an amount of 0.01-2000 g, preferably 0.03-1000 g, more
preferably 0.05-200 g, per gram of the solid titanium
catalyst component (A). Accordingly, the organometal 1 ic
compound (B) is used usually in an amount of about 0.1-
1000 mole parts, preferably about 0.5-500 mole parts, more
preferably about 1-100 mole parts, per mole part of titanium
of the solid titanium catalyst component.
In the preliminary polymerization of olefins, the
silane compound (C) may be used, if necessary, usually in
an amount of 0.01-50 mole parts, preferably about 0.05-30
mole parts, more preferably about 0.1-10 mole parts, per
mole part of titanium atom of the solid titanium catalyst
component (A). A molecular weight controlling agent such
as hydrogen may also be used when the preliminary
polymerization of olefins is carried out.
When the preliminary olefin polymerization catalyst
is obtained as a slurry or suspension, the catalyst may be
used as it is in a later full scale polymerization of
olefins, or alternatively the catalyst may be separated
from the suspension and then used in the full scale
polymerization.
The preliminary olefin polymerization catalyst is
used usually to prepare an olefin polymerization catalyst
of the invention in combination with the beforementioned
organometallic compound and the silane compound. However,
the preliminary olefin polymerization catalyst alone may
be used as an olefin polymerization catalyst as the case
may be. When a silane compound has not been used in the
preparation of preliminary olefin polymerization catalyst,
an olefin polymerization catalyst of the invention may be
prepared from the preliminary olefin polymerization catalyst
and the silane compound.
As set forth above, the solid titanium catalyst
component of the invention provides an olefin polymerization
catalyst which has high olefin polymerization activity and
provides polyolefins having high stereospecificity and a
high bulk density with a reduced anount of finely divided
polymer powder produced.
(Examples)
The invention will be described with reference to
examples, however, the examples are illustrative only and
the invention is not limited thereto.
EXAMPLE 1
(Preparation of solid titanium catalyst component (A))
98.5 kg of 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, 78.3 kg of decane
and 24 kg of magnsium chloride were placed in a 0.5 m3
capacity vessel, and the mixture was heated to 14 0 °C to
prepare an even solution. 5.6 kg of phthalic anhydride
was added to the solution and stirred under heating to
provide a colorless and even solution. The solution was
then cooled to room temperatures to prepare a solution of
the magnesium compound.
As shown in Fig. 2, 0.3 m3 of recovered titanium
tetrachloride having the composition below was placed in
a one cubic meter capacity first reactor 1, and was cooled
to — 2 0 ºC , whereupon 103.2 kg of the solution of the
magnesium compoud was added to the titanium tetrachloride.
The recovered titanium tetrachloride was composed of 95.4%
by weight of titanium tetrachloride, 0.2% by weight of
hexane, 2.2 % by weight of octane, 0.2% by weight of
nonane, 1.6% by weight of decane and 0.4% by weight of
2-chlorooctane.
The resulting reaction mixture was heated to 110 °C
and 8.8 kg of diisobutyl phthalate was added to the mixture
followed by stirring for two hours at the temperature.
The resulting suspension was sent to a first filter 2 from
the first reactor 1 under nitrogen pressure through a first
pipe A where the suspension was filtrated to separate the
resulting solid material. A small amount of titanium
tetrachloride was added to the solid material and was then
sent to a one cubic meter capacity second reactor 3 under
nitrogen pressure through a second pipe B. While these
operations were carried out, the solid material in the first
filter 2 as well as the first pipe A through which the
suspension was sent to the first filter 2 from the first
reactor 1 under pressure, the first filter 2 and the second
pipe B were maintained at the temperature indicated in
Table 1.
0.4 m3 of the same recovered titanium tetrachloride
as above was added to the second reactor 3, the mixture
was heated to 110 °C and maintained at the temperature for
20 minutes. The resulting suspension was sent to a second
filter 4 under nitrogen pressure through a pipe C where
the suspension was filtrated to separate the resulting
solid material. A small amount of hexane was added to the
solid material and the mixture was supplied to a one cubic
meter capacity washing apparatus 5 through a pipe D. The
solid material was washed three times each with 0.4 m3 of
hexane at 60 ºC and then further washed repeatedly with
hexane at normal temperatures until no titanium was detected
in the supernatant. After the washing in ths way, the solid
material was sent to a drying apparatus 6 through a pipe E
where the solid material was dried to provide a solid
titanium catalyst component of the invention. The
composition of the catalyst component is shown in Table 2.
(Polymerization of propylene)
750 ml of purified hexane was placed in a two liter
capacity autoclave and then 0.0075 nillimole of the solid
titanium catalyst component in terms of titanium atom
together with 0.75 millimole of triethylaluminum, 0.075
millimole of cyclohexylmethyldimethoxysilane (CMMS) at a
temperature of 40ºC under a propylene atmosphere.
200 ml of hydrogen was then fed into the autoclave
at a temperature of 60 ºC, followed by heating to 70 ºC and
maintaining at the temperature for two hours to carry out
the polymerization of propylene while the pressure in the
autoclave was maintained at 7 kg/cmz G (gage).
After the polymerization, the slurry which contained
the resulting polypropylene was filtrated to separate
while powder, followed by drying under reduced pressures
for ten hours to provide polypropylene. The results of
polymerization are shown in Table 3.
EXAMPLES 2 AND 3
(Preparation of solid titanium catalyst component (A))
The pipe A, the first filter 2, the solid material
in the first filter 2 and the pipe B were maintained at
the temperature indicated in Table 1, and otherwise in the
same manner as in EXAMPLE 1, a solid titanium catalyst
component was prepared. The composition of the catalyst
component is shown in Table 2.
(Polymerization of propylene)
The polymerization of propylene was carried out in
the same manner as in EXAMPLE 1 except that the above
solid titanium catalyst component was used. The results
of polymerization are shown in Table 3.
REFERENCE EXAMPLES 1 AND 2
(Preparation of solid titanium catalyst component (A))
The pipe A, the first filter 2, the solid material
in the first filter 2 and the pipe B were maintained at
the temperature indicated in Table 1, and otherwise in the
same manner as in EXAMPLE 1, a solid titanium catalyst
component was prepared. The composition of the catalyst
component is shown in Table 2.
(Polymerization of propylene)
The polymerization of propylene was carried out in
the same manner as in EXAMPLE 1 except that the above
solid titanium catalyst component was used. The results
of polymerization are shown in Table 3.
In Table 3, t-I.I. represents a total isotactic
index and is defined as below:

The activity per Ti is the yield (g) of polypropylene
per millimole of titanium of the solid titanium catalyst
component (g-PP/mmol-Ti); the activity per catalyst is the
yield (g) of polypropylene per gram of polymerization
catalyst (g-PP/g-catalyst); and MFR means melt flow rate.
The fine polymer powder has a particle size of less than
100 nicronmeter.
EXAMPLE 4
(Preparation of solid titanium catalyst component (A))
As shown in Fig. 2, 40 kg of diethoxymagnesium was
placed in a one cubic meter capacity first reactor 1
together with 0.32 m3 of toluene to prepare a suspension.
80 liters of titanium tetrachloride was added to the
suspension while the suspension was maintained at a
temperature of 20ºC. The suspension was then raised to a
temperature of 85 ºC , and 11 liters of diisobutyl phthalate
was added, followed by heating to a temperature of 110ºC
and maintaining the suspension at the temperature for two
hours.
The suspension was sent to a first filter 2 under
nitrogen pressure through a pipe A to separate a solid
material. After the addition of a small amount of toluene
to the solid material, it was filtrated. This operation
was repeated five times. A small amount of toluene was
added to the solid material thus obtained, and the solid
material was sent to a one cubic meter capacity second
reactor 3 under nitrogen pressure through a pipe B. 80
liters of titanium tetrachloride and 0.32 m3 of toluene
were placed in the second reactor 3, and the mixture was
heated to a temperature of 110ºC and maintained at the
temperature for one hour. While these operations were
carried out, the pipe A, the solid material in the pipe A,
the first filter 2, the solid material in the first filter
2, the solid material in the first filter 2, the pipe B
and the solid material in the pipe B were maintained at
the temperature indicated in Table 4.
The resulting suspension prepared in the second
reactor 3 was returned to the first filter 2 through a
pipe B' where the suspension was filtrated to separate a
solid material. A small amount of toluene was added to
the solid material and the solid material was filtrated.
This operation was repeated five times. After the addition
of a small amount of toluene to the solid material, the
solid material was then sent to the one cubic meter capacity
second reactor 3 again under nitrogen pressure through the
pipe B. In the same manner as mentioned hereinabove, 80
liters of titanium tetrachloride and 0.32 m3 of toluene
were added to the second reactor 3. and the mixture was
heated to a temperature of 110ºC followed by maintaining
the mixture at the temperature for one hour. While these
operations were carried out, the pipe B', the solid material
in the pipe B', the first filter 2, the solid material in
the first filter 2, the pipe B and the solid material in
the pipe B were maintained at the temperature indicated in
Table 4.
The suspension thus prepared in the second reactor 3
was sent to a second reactor 4 under nitrogen pressure
through a pipe C where the suspension was filtrated to
separate a solid material. After the addition of a small
amount of hexane to the solid material, the solid material
was then sent to a one cubic meter capacity washing
apparatus 5. The solid material was washed three times
each with 0.4 m3 of hexane at 60ºC and then further washed
repeatedly with hexane at normal temperatures until no
titanium was detected in the supernatant. After the washing
in ths way, the solid material was sent to a drying apparatus
6 where the solid material was dried to provide a solid
titanium catalyst component of the invention. The
composition of the catalyst component is shown in Table 5.
(Polymerization of propylene)
The polymerization of propylene was carried out in
the same manner as in EXAMPLE 1 except that the above
solid titanium catalyst component was used. The results
of polymerization are shown in Table 6.
REFERENCE EXAMPLES 3 AND 4
(Preparation of solid titanium catalyst component (A))
The pipe A, the solid material in the pipe A, the
first filter 2, the solid material in the first filter 2,
the pipe B and solid material in the pipe B were maintained
at the temperature indicated in Table 4, and otherwise in
the same manner as in EXAMPLE 4, a solid titanium catalyst
component was prepared. The composition of the catalyst
component is shown in Table 5.
(Polymerization of propylene)
The polymerization of propylene was carried out in
the same manner as in EXAMPLE 1 except that the above
solid titanium catalyst component was used. The results
of polymerization are shown in Table 6.
EXAMPLE 5
(Preparation of solid titanium catalyst component (A))
The atmosphere in a two cubic meter capacity high
performance agitator was fully replaced with nitrogen.
70 liters of purified kerosene, 10 kg of commercially
available magnesium chloride, 24.2 kg of ethanol and 3 kg
of a surfactant, sorbitan distearate (Emasol 320 available
from Kao Atlas K.K.), were placed in the agitator. The
resulting mixture was heated to a temperature of 120 ºC
with stirring and was then stirred at a rate of 800 rpm
at the temperature for 30 minutes, thereby providing a
suspension which contained particles of complex of magnesium
chloride and ethanol.
The suspension was transferred to a two cubic meter
capacity reactor provided with a stirrer in which a cubic
meter of purified kerosene kept at —10ºC had been placed
with effective stirring through a polytetraf1uoroethylene
tube having an inside diameter of 5 mm to provide solid
products. The solid product was fully washed with purified
kerosene.
As shown in Fig. 2, 0.4 m3 of titanium tetrachloride
and 20 kg of the solid product were placed in a one cubic
meter capacity first reactor. The resulting mixture was
heated to 120 ºC in 2.5 hours. When the mixture reached a
temperature of 100 ºC in the course of the heating, 3.6
liters of diisobutyl phthalate was added to the mixture.
The reaction mixture was maintained at 120 ºC for 1.5 hours.
The resulting suspension was sent to a first filter 2 from
the first reactor 1 under nitrogen pressure through a first
pipe A where the suspension was filtrated to separate the
resulting solid material. A small amount of titanium
tetrachloride was added to the solid material and was then
sent to a one cubic meter capacity second reactor 3 under
nitrogen pressure through a second pipe B. While these
operations were carried out, the solid material in the
first filter 2 as well as the first pipe A through which
the suspension was sent to the first filter 2 from the first
reactor 1 under pressure, the first filter 2 and the second
pipe B were maintained at the temperature indicated in
Table 7.
0.4 m3 of titanium tetrachloride was added to the
second reactor 3, the mixture was then heated to 130 °C and
maintained at the temperature for one hour. The resulting
suspension was sent to a second filter 4 under nitrogen
pressure through a pipe C where the suspension was filtrated
to separate the resulting solid material. A small amount
of hexane was added to the solid material and the mixture
was supplied to a one cubicmeter capacity washing apparatus
5 through a pipe D. The solid material was washed three
times each with 0.4 m3 of hexane at 60ºC and then further
washed repeatedly with hexane at normal temperatures until
no titanium was detected in the supernatant. After the
washing in ths way, the solid material was sent to a drying
apparatus 6 through a pipe E where the solid material was
dried to provide a solid titanium catalyst component of
the invention. The composition of the catalyst component
is shown in Table 8.
(Polymerization of propylene)
The polymerization of propylene was carried out in
the same manner as in EXAMPLE 1 except that the above
solid titanium catalyst component was used. The results
of polymerization are shown in Table 9.
WE CLAIM
1. A process for the preparation of a solid titanium catalyst
component which comprises:
(i) a step wherein a suspension is prepared which contains
a solid material prepared by contacting at a temperature
of-70ºC200°C a magnesium compound with 0.01-1000 mole parts
of a first titanium compound and 0.01-5 mole parts of a polybasic
carboxylic acid ester such as herein described per mole part
of the masnesium compound used, respectively, supported thereon;
(ii) a step wherein the solid material is separated from the
suspension; and
(iii) a step wherein the solid material is contacted with 5-200
mole parts of a second titanium compound such as herein described
per mole part of the magnesium compound used under heating at
a temperature of 40-200ºC;
wherein while the solid material is separated from the suspension
in the step (ii) and the solid material is supplied to the step
(iii), the solid material is maintained at a temperature in
the range of 70-130°C.
2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the magnesium
compound is dissolved in a solvent which is a solubilizing agent.
3. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solubilizing
agent is an aliphatic alcohol of not less than 6 carbons.
4. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the magnesium
compound is dissolved in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence
of an aliphatic alcohol of not less than 6 carbons as a
solubilizing agent.
5. A process as claimed in claim 2,3 or 4 wherein a magnesium
compound dissolved in a solubilizing agent or in a hydrocarbon
solvent in the presence of a solubilizing agent is contacted
with a first titanium compound in the presence of an electron
donor.
6. A process as claimed in claim 5 wherein the electron donor
is at least one of organic carboxylic acid esters, aliphatic
carboxylic acids, acid anhydrides, ketones, ethers, aliphatic
carbonates, silane compounds and organophosphorous compounds.
7. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the polybasic
carboxylic acid ester is an aromatic ortho-dicarboxylic acid
monoester or diester which has the formula(I):

Wherein Ar is a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group of 6-14
carbons; R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1-20 carbons;
and R' is a hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1-
20 carbons.
8. A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein the polybasic carboxylic acid ester is dialkyl phthalate.

A process for the preparation of a solid titanium catalyst component which comprises:
(i) a step wherein a suspension is prepared which contains a solid material prepared by contacting at a temperature of-70ºC200ºC a magnesium compound with 0.01-1000 mole parts
of a first titanium compound and 0.01-5 mole parts of a polybasic carboxylic acid ester such as herein described per mole part of the magnesium compound used, respectively, supported thereon;
(ii) a step wherein the solid material is separated from the suspension; and
(iii) a step wherein the solid material is contacted with 5-200 mole parts of a second titanium compound such as herein described
per mole part of the magnesium compound used under heating at a temperature of 40-200°C;
Wherein while the solid material is separated from the suspension in the step (ii) and the solid material is supplied to the step
(iii), the solid material is maintained at a temperature in the range of 70-130°C.

Documents:

1786-cal-1996-abstract.pdf

1786-cal-1996-claims.pdf

1786-cal-1996-correspondence.pdf

1786-cal-1996-description (complete).pdf

1786-cal-1996-drawings.pdf

1786-cal-1996-form 1.pdf

1786-cal-1996-form 2.pdf

1786-cal-1996-form 3.pdf

1786-cal-1996-form 5.pdf

1786-CAL-1996-FORM-27.pdf

1786-cal-1996-letter patent.pdf

1786-cal-1996-pa.pdf

1786-cal-1996-priority document.pdf

1786-cal-1996-reply to examination report.pdf

1786-cal-1996-specification.pdf

1786-cal-1996-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 190519
Indian Patent Application Number 1786/CAL/1996
PG Journal Number 30/2009
Publication Date 24-Jul-2009
Grant Date 13-Feb-2004
Date of Filing 10-Oct-1996
Name of Patentee MITSUI CHEMICALS,INC.
Applicant Address 2-5,KASUMIGASEKI 3-CHOME,CHIYODA-KU,TOKYO
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MAMORU KIOKA. 1-2, WAKI 6-CHOME, WAKICHO, KUGA-GUN YAMAGUCHI
2 SHINICHIK KOJO. 1-2, WAKI 6-CHOME, WAKICHO, KUGA-GUN YAMAGUCHI
3 TSUNEO YASHIKI 1-2, WAKI 6-CHOME, WAKICHO, KUGA-GUN YAMAGUCHI
PCT International Classification Number C08F-4/658,10/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 7-263237 1995-10-11 Japan