US 5,180,799 AGranted

Process for polymerizing methacrylic acid ester monomers

AssigneeImperial Chemical Industries PLC

InventorsDenis G. H. Ballard, David M. Haddleton, David L. Twose

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Abstract

A process for addition polymerization of vinylic (in particular methacrylic) monomers at a temperature in the range of -20.degree. to 60.degree. c., in the presence of a catalyst comprising: (a) a first component of empirical formula (I): MT (I) wherein M is an alkali metal atom; and T is bulky hydrocarbyl which contains at least 4 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted by one or more pendent substituents, or hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl, each of which is inert in the process conditions; and (b) a (co-catalyst) second component comprising a compound of empirical formula (II): Q(X.sub.m) (Y.sub.n) Zp (II) wherein Q is Al, B or Zn; m, n and p are each 0 or an integer such that (m+n+p)=2 or 3 (depending on the appropriate valency of Q; and X, Y and Z are each independently optionally substituted bulky hydrocarbyl, or X and Y together are optionally substituted hydrocarbadiyl, and Z is optionally substituted bulky hydrocarbyl, all of which groups are inert in the process conditions.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A process for the addition polymerisation of a methacrylic acid ester monomer(s) to yield a polymer having a syndiotacticity of less than 85%, said process being conducted at a temperature in the range of from -20.degree. to 60.degree. C. and comprising contacting the monomer(s), optionally in the presence of a hydrocarbon solvent/vehicle which is inert in the polymerisation process conditions, with a catalyst composition consisting of the product formed on admixing:

(a) a first component of empirical formula:
MT I
wherein
M is Li;
and
T is a bulky hydrocarbyl group which (1) contains at least 4 carbon atoms, (2) is optionally substituted by one or more pendent substituents and (3) is inert in the polymerisation process conditions;
and
(b) a second component of empirical formula:
Q(X.sub.s) (Y.sub.n) (Z.sub.p) II
wherein
Q is Al;
m, n and p are each O or an integer such taht (m+n+p)=3;
and
X, Y and Z are each independently optionally substituted bulky hydrocarbyl groups, or
X, and Y together are an optionally substituted hydrocarbadiyl group, and Z is an optionally substituted bulky hydrocarbyl group,
all of which groups contain at least 4 carbon atoms and are inert in the polymerisation process conditions.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.