Abstract: Conjugated dienes and alpha-olefins, such as butadiene and propylene, are copolymerized by a new catalyst system which gives copolymers containing a high proportion of the alpha-olefin with accompanying desired properties. This catalyst system comprises: (1) A titanium or vanadium halide, preferably chloride, (2) an aluminum hydrocarbon compound, preferably an aluminum trialkyl having 1-8 carbon atoms in each of said alkyl groups and (3) CS.sub.2. The copolymers produced by this process have molecular weights in the range of 100,000-5,000,000, preferably 250,000-500,000, and other desirable properties.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of graft polymers from copolymers of ethylene with vinyl esters, acrylates or methacrylates by grafting an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid thereto in the presence of a free-radical polymerization initiator. Homogeneous graft copolymers are obtained from which sheeting can be made. To this end, the unsaturated carboxylic acid is first caused to diffuse into the copolymer and the mixture is then extruded at temperatures above the crystallite melting point of the ethylene copolymer.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymers containing peroxide end-groups, in which one or more monomers, particularly alpha-olefins, are polymerized by means of a co-ordination catalyst in the presence of an adjuvant with the formula M(X)p, where M is boron or a metal in column IIb of the Periodic Table of Elements, p is the valency of M, and X is at least one monovalent organic radical, a hydrogen atom or a halogen, the polymer obtained is treated with a peroxidizing agent, without being de-activated, and the resulting polymer containing peroxide groups is collected.Polymers with peroxide end-groups obtained by this process, particularly olefins with peroxide end-groups, can be used to initiate polymerization of vinylic monomers, and are accordingly useful in the synthesis of block copolymers, in which one part is formed from the polymeric part of the macromolecular peroxide and the other part is derived from the vinylic monomer or monomers polymerized by means of this peroxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new manner of grafting various organic groups or polymers; it is concerned particularly with the grafting of vinyl, acryl, vinylidene or other chains on polymers of olefines, diolefines, aromatic vinyl compounds and similar compounds; a new catalytic system is used for effecting such a grafting, wherein a deactivated polymer is brought into contact with at least one organometallic compound and at least one generator of free radicals out of the presence of air.

Abstract: Olefin polymers are made using a supported chromium oxide catalyst which is treated with a mixture of an organoboron compound and a hydrocarbyl aluminum hydrocarbyl oxide. This catalyst is capable of producing high shear response polymer and is of particular utility in the production of such polymer in a particle-form process.

Abstract: Vinylpyridine is polymerized in aqueous suspension in the presence of small solid particles of polyolefin.

Abstract: Gaseous-phase polymerization of an .alpha.-olefin with a catalyst and without a liquid dispersant is carried out under the following conditions:1. A solid phase comprising said catalyst and particulate olefin polymer is caused principally by mechanical agitation to undergo circulation in the up-and-down directions within a reaction chamber of substantially vertical-cylinder type, a reaction bed being formed by said circulating solid phase;2. The ratio of the diameter to height of said reaction bed is of the order of from 1 : 0.5 to 1 : 3;3. The starting-material .alpha.-olefin is supplied in liquid state into the reaction chamber from a point above the reaction bed and vaporized within the reaction chamber; and4. Heat of polymerization reaction is removed principally by the latent heat of vaporization absorbed by said vaporization of the liquid .alpha.-olefin.

Abstract: The invention relates to the activation of polymers and more particularly to certain classes of high polymeric material which are not susceptible to dyeing or the like whereby the polymeric material is given a functional group which can react with dyes, monomeric materials, etc. Polymeric materials such as polyolefins, e.g. polypropylene, polyesters and polyvinylchloride are sulfonated by reaction with a sulfonating agent in the presence of a hydrocarbon and/or a chlorinated hydrocarbon. The resulting sulfonated polymer can then be easily dyed or can be reacted with monomers to obtain dyeable polymers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a high molecular weight, elastic and random type butadiene-propylene copolymer whose propylene content is in the range of 3 to 45 mol%, which comprises copolymerizing butadiene and propylene in the molar ratio ranging from 1/10 to 10/1 at a temperature in the range of 0.degree. to 80.degree.C in the presence of a catalyst system consisting of (1) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of titanium tetrachloride, titanium tetrabromide and vanadyl trichloride, (2) an organoaluminum compound having the general formula, ALR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represent a hydrocarbon radical and (3) phosgene, in which said components (2) and (3) are mixed at room temperature prior to the addition of other catalyst components and of monomers. The resulting random butadiene-propylene copolymer is highly elastic and superior to cis-1,4-polybutadiene in resistance to thermal aging.

Abstract: Aluminum trialkyl and aluminum dialkyl monohalide catalysts can be used to graft cationically polymerizable monomers, such as styrene, chloroprene, isobutylene, etc. to halogenated polymers with some highly reactive halogen atoms such as PVC, neoprene, chlorobutyl, etc.

Abstract: Polymerization reactions may be carried out in a solvent at a temperature which is above its lower critical solution temperature thereby resulting in a two-phase system comprising a solvent phase containing dissolved therein monomers and low molecular weight fractions of polymer and dispersed fluid phase comprising a solution of solvent in the higher molecular weight fraction of polymer being formed.This process technique is particularly advantageous in the preparation of low molecular weight isoolefin conjugated diolefin copolymers. In particular, propane has been found to be an ideal solvent for the isoolefin conjugated diolefin polymerization processes.The use of this type of polymerization process results in a low viscosity system having excellent heat transfer and low fouling characteristics.

Abstract: In a suspension polymerization process which comprises polymerizing an ethylene halide by itself or a mixture of an ethylene halide and a monomer copolymerizable therewith in an aqueous medium in the presence of a suspending agent and an oil-soluble catalyst under pressure, a pressure polymerization vessel the internal exposed surfaces of which are wholly or at least partially lined with wood is used so as to prevent adhesion of the resulting polymer to the exposed area.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a suspension polymerization process in which an ethylene halide or a mixture of an ethylene halide and a monomer copolymerizable therewith is continuously suspension polymerized while adherence of the polymerization component to the wall of the polymerization apparatus is prevented and to a polymerization apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing .alpha.-olefins in a solvent under conditions such that the polymer formed grows as particles, in which the process comprises reusing a greater part of the solvent used for the polymerization by recycling the solvent to the polymerization zone without carrying out any purification treatment.

Abstract: Elutriation apparatus and process using apparatus comprising an upper and a lower member separated by a restricted intermediate cross-section member wherein the lower member has a lesser cross section than the upper member. The process is carried out by operating the lower member as a dispersed suspension (known per se) elutriation apparatus and by operating the upper member as a dense fluidized bed (known per se) elutriation apparatus with the intermediate member causing an increase in the velocity, of at least 1.2 times, of the elutriant passing therethrough from the lower to the upper members.

Abstract: A conjugated diene or a mixture of conjugated dienes or a mixture of a conjugated diene and an aryl vinyl monomer is polymerized with an alpha olefin in a reaction which is starved for monomer, and cyclization takes place. The catalyst includes a N,N,N', N'-tetra-alkyl alkylene diamine in which each alkyl group contains about 1 to 8 carbon atoms and the alkylene group contains 2 to 10 carbon atoms. N,N,N',N'-tetraethylenediamine is preferred. Other components of the catalyst include metallic sodium or potassium and alkyl sodium or potassium, preferably together with an alkali metal alkoxide.