Polymerization of Propylene Catalyzed by TiCl3 with Large Specific Surface

The kinetics of polymerization of propylene with the use of highly dispersed TiCl3 and triethylaluminum as catalysts have been studied. The overall rate of polymerization decreases with time as a consequence of the deactivation of active centers with time. The interaction of TiCl3 with triethylaluminum yields Al(C2H5)2Cl; the solid phase is depleted in Cl− and contains fragments of the organometallic compound. This reaction, which is in essence the reduction of TiCl3, takes place also in the course of polymerization and brings about the decomposition of active centers. Rate constants in the equation characterizing the course of the overall rate of polymerization with the number of active centers changing with time have been calculated.