Abstract: Catalyst compositions for preparing polyketones comprising(a) a Group VIII metal compound, containing at least one ligand capable of coordinating to the Group VIII metal, and(b) a boron hydrocarbyl compound are disclosed, in particular catalyst compositions wherein the boron hydrocarbyl compound is a Lewis acid of the formula BXYZ where at least one of X, Y and Z is a monovalent hydrocarbyl group. A preferred catalyst composition comprises a palladium complex and B(C.sub.6 F.sub.5).sub.3.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyketones by polymerizing a mixture of carbon monoxide and one or more olefins in the presence of a group VIII metal catalyst which is prepared by reacting together:(a) a source of a group VIII metal, and(b) an amine, phosphine, arsine or stibine, characterized in that the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a hydrocarbyl aluminoxane is disclosed.The group VIII metal is preferably palladium. The aluminoxane can be of the formula [(R.sup.3 R.sup.4 Al).sub.2 O].sub.n " or [R.sup.5 AlO].sub.n ".sub.+2, where n" is 2-40 and R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl group.

Abstract: Palladium complexes having the general formula Pd(R'CO.sub.2).sub.2 X where R' is C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl or C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 aryl and X is a chelating ligand of formula (R.sup.2).sub.2 PYP(R.sup.2).sub.2 where the R.sup.2 groups are independently selected from C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, phenyl or alkoxy substituted phenyl, and Y is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- where n=2 to 4 are provided. The complexes may be prepared by reacting the compounds Pd(R'CO.sub.2).sub.2 and (R.sup.2).sub.2 PYP(R.sup.2).sub.2 together in an aromatic solvent at a temperature of less than 60.degree. C. in amounts such that the molar ratio of the two compounds is in the range 1.2:1 to 1:1.2.

Abstract: A process for preparing terpolymer polyketones comprises reacting at least two olefins with carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst prepared from (a) a source of palladium, (b) a source of an anion which either does not coordinate with palladium or is less strongly coordinating to palladium than both carbon monoxide and the olefin(s) used and (c) a bisphosphine of formula (R.sup.1).sub.2 P--R--P(R.sup.1).sub.2 wherein R.sup.1 is an optionally polar substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group and R is a divalent organic bridging group of formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --where n=2 to 8 and (d) a 1,4 quinone. The process is characterized by being carried out in a solvent comprising a mixture of an aprotic polar solvent and from 0.0001 to 0.5% by weight water. The particular solvent system used is especially useful for preparing terpolymer polyketones of high molecular weight.