Silica-Based Ziegler–Natta Catalysts: A Patent Review

Silica-based Ziegler–Natta catalysts are important industrially in the manufacture of polyethylene and polypropylene. They are scientifically very interesting because of the complex effects of porous silica on catalyst performance. This patent review explains how silica–based Ziegler–Natta catalysts are related to Phillips chromium–silica catalysts and explores their value for the gas phase and slurry processes for the manufacture of polyolefins. The subcategories dealt with are the following: magnesium–titanium–silica catalysts, which are valuable for high-density polyethylene, for the ethylene copolymers called linear low-density polyethylene;and ethylene–propylene rubber, and for isotactic polypropylene; vanadium–silica catalysts, which are useful in the polymerization and copolymerization of ethylene; and vanadium plus titanium–silica catalysts which often exhibit reactivity synergism. Dual-site and multisite catalysts are also reviewed.