Kinetics of polymerization of 1-octene with the catalyst systems VO(acac)2-AlEt3 (or AlEt2Br)

Abstract The kinetics of 1-octene polymerization by the catalyst systems VO(acac) 2 -AlEt 3 (I) and VO(acac) 2 -AlEt 2 Br (II) was investigated. A linear dependence of the rate of polymerization on the monomer and catalyst concentrations as well as the overall activation energy of 44.5 kJ/mol for both the catalyst systems was found. The dependence of the rate of polymerization on aluminium alkyl concentration is explained by Langmuir-Hinshelwood adsorption of the monomer and the aluminium alkyl. Characterization of the structure of the polymer by 13 C-NMR spectra revealed the isotactic content. The mechanism of polymerization is discussed in relation to the kinetic data obtained.