Vicinal alkylene oxide polymerization and catalysts thereof

Abstract

A polymerization process for vicinal alkylene oxides and a catalyst for said polymerization process where the catalyst comprises a composition prepared by contacting an alkyl aluminum compound with an organic nitrogen base compound selected from secondary nitrogen-containing compounds having basicity less than or about equal to the basicity of dimethylamine, with a .beta.-diketone and with water where the components are combined in prescribed molar ratios. The molecular weight of the resultant polymers produced in a process utilizing such a catalyst may be controlled by adjusting the ratio of the secondary amine component and very high molecular weight polymers may be obtained, as determined by their intrinsic viscosities. The very high molecular weight polymeric products are useful as elastomers and as thickeners for various aqueous or organic solutions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.