The composition of catalysts prepared from tri‐n‐propylaluminum, anisole, and titanium tetrachloride

Abstract

AbstractCatalysts were prepared from titanium tetrachloride and tri‐n‐propylaluminum or tri‐n‐propylaluminum anisole at [Al]/[Ti] molar ratios of 0.20–1.10. They were aged and filtered, and the solid and liquid portions were analyzed for aluminum, titanium, chlorine, and certain organic constituents. The analyses indicate that the solid of the nonetherate catalyst is predominantly TiCl3, some AlCl3 or aluminum alkyl chlorides being included. Only at [Al]/[Ti] = 1.10 was any alkyl group found in the solid. The same general results were found for the etherate catalyst, but the solid had a somewhat lower [Cl]/[Ti] ratio, indicating greater reduction or alkylation, or both, of the titanium species than in the nonetherate catalyst. The solid also contained some anisole at the higher [Al]/[Ti] ratios. The results lend general support to proposed reactions for the catalyst formation. The main differences in the etherate catalysts relative to the non‐etherate system, particularly at the higher [Al]/[Ti] ratios, are the apparently greater reduction or alkylation of the titanium in the solids, the presence of anisole in the liquid and solid portions, and the presence of phenol in the liquid portion. The phenol presumably comes from cleavage of the anisole during the catalyst formation. Not all of the anisole has been accounted for in a materials balance, nor has all of the chlorine in the etherate catalysts. No propyl or isopropyl chloride was found in the catalysts; there is no significant amount of polypropylene in any of the catalyst solids. Hence the fate of the alkyl groups remains undetermined at present.