Process for synthesizing linear polymers of ethylene and alpha-olefins

Abstract

Ethylene and/or propylene are polymerized to form high molecular weight, linear polymers by contacting ethylene and/or propylene monomer, in the presence of an inert reaction medium, with a catalyst system which consists essentially of (1) an aluminum alkyl component, such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum and diethylaluminum hydride and (2) a Lewis acid or Lewis acid derivative component, such as _B(C6F5)3, {(CH3)2N(H)(C6H5)}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C2H5) 3NH}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C6F5)3C}+{B(C6F5)4}−, {(C6F5)3C}+{B(C6F5)3(Cl)−}, (C2H5) 2Al(OCH3), (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenoxide), (C2H5)Al(2,6-di-t-butylphenoxide)2, (C2H5)2Al(2,6-di-t-butylphenoxide), 2,6-di-t butylphenol.methyl-aluminoxane or an alkylaluminoxane, and which may be completely free any transition metal component(s).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.