Polymerization of olefins through heterogeneous catalysis,I. Low pressure propylene polymerization in slurry with Ziegler–Natta catalyst

Propylene was polymerized in slurry over a TiCl₃·? AICI₃ (Stauffer Type AA) catalyst with Al—Et₂Cl cocatalyst at 60 psig pressure both with and without H₂ present. The effects of polymerization temperature, catalyst poisons, and type of slurry liquid were investigated, with particular emphasis on the yield, tacticity, and MWD of the resulting polymer. The highest yields and isotactic content were obtained with decane–heptane mixtures as a slurry liquid, while slurry liquids in which polypropylene was most soluble gave the narrowest MWD.