GB1001838A - Olefin copolymers - Google Patents

Abstract

Substantially linear, amorphous, vulcanizable, high molecular weight copolymers containing monomeric units homogeneously distributed along the macromolecular chain comprise ethylene, one or more olefins of the formula R-CH = CH2 in which R is a Cl to Cb alkyl group, and a compound of the formula <FORM:1001838/C3/1> where R1 and R2 are the same or different alkenyl groups containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and R3 and R4 are hydrogen, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic groups, or as R1 and R2. The copolymers are made by polymerizing a mixture of the monomers in the presence of a halogen-containing catalyst consisting of the reaction product of a vanadium compound, an aluminium or beryllium organometallic compound or a lithium-aluminium complex. The polymerization is preferably effected between 0 DEG C. and - 80 DEG C. The organo-aluminium compound may be complexed with a weak Lewis base such as an ether, thioether, tert-amine, or trisubstituted phosphine. The alpha-olefin may be propylene, or butene-1. The silicon-containing monomer may be dimethyl divinyl or diallyl silane, tetravinyl silane, tetrallyl silane, diphenyldiallylsilane, ethyldiallylsilane, diallyldiiso - propylsilane, or diallyldi - sec - butylsilane. The polymerization is preferably effected in a hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon solvent or diluent. The catalyst is preferably preformed. The Specification contains long lists of suitable catalyst components. Those exemplified are VCl4 and aluminium diethylmonochloride, vanadium triacetylacetonate and aluminium diethylmonochloride, VCl4 and aluminium trihexyl, and VCl4 and diethylberyllium. The copolymer is vulcanized by conventional techniques.