Enhancing stereoselectivity of propylene polymerization with MgCl2-supported Ziegler-Natta catalysts by electron donor: Strong effects of titanium dispersion state

Abstract Propylene polymerization with two TiCl 4 /MgCl 2 catalysts (Cat-1: Ti 0.1%; Cat-2: Ti 1.0%) showed different responses to (cyclo-C 5 H 9 ) 2 Si(OCH 3 ) 2 (De) addition. Cat-1 was deactivated more than Cat-2 by De. Amount of three groups of active centers producing atactic, medium isotactic and isotactic polypropylene chains were all reduced by De addition, but those of Cat-1 were reduced more. Reactivity of the isospecific active centers ( k pi ) was enhanced by De, but k pi of Cat-2 was changed more sensitively than Cat-1. The lower stereoselectivity of Cat-1 than Cat-2 are attributable to weaker De adsorption on its surface Mg, and the more sparsely dispersed Ti species on Cat-1 is responsible for weak De adsorption.