Abstract: A catalyst composition for preparing polyketones comprises(a) a Group VIII metal compound, containing at least one ligand capable of coordinating to the Group VIII metal and,(b) a compound of the formula BXYZ where at least one of X, Y and Z is a chloro or bromophenyl group preferably B(p-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4).sub.3. Polyketones having p-chlorophenyl or p-bromophenyl end groups are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of polyketones wherein carbon monoxide and at least one olefin are polymerized in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst is prepared by reacting together a promotor; a source of a Group VIII metal; and a compound of the formula A.sub.2 PR.sup.1 PA.sub.2 wherein each A is independently a hydrocarbyl group or a Group B bonded to the phosphorous of the PA.sub.2 moiety directly through a nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen and R.sup.1 is a divalent organic group, with the proviso that at least one of the two A groups bonded to each phosphorous is a Group B.

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 compoundare 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 a polyketone is disclosed. This comprises polymerising together carbon monoxide, ethylene and optionally at least one C.sub.3 to C.sub.10 alpha-olefin in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst composition derivable from a palladium salt, an anion which is either non-coordinating or weakly coordinating to palladium and a phosphate ligand characterised in that the solvent is either a C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 tertiary aliphatic alcohol or a mixture of a C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 tertiary alcohol and up to 80% by volume of an aprotic solvent. The preferred tertiary alcohols are tertiary butyl alcohol and tertiary amyl alcohol. The aprotic solvents can be an aliphatic ketone or cyclic aliphatic ether; preferred aprotic solvents are THF and 1,4-dioxane.

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.