Polymerization of Ethylene Oxide with Metal Alkoxide Catalyst

Abstract

Al (OBut) 3 is an active catalyst for the polymerization of ethylene oxide and the catalytic activity is further increased by partial hydrolysis. The rate of polymerization and the degree of polymerization were investigated with Al (OPri), and Al (C) (Bu′), by varying the degree of hydrolysis and the catalyst concentration. We assume the coordinate polymerization with monomer adsorption as the rate determining step. Ti (OPr′), itself was ineffective, but was activated by partial hydrolysis. The partialy hydrolyzed Ti (OPri) 4 was further activated by Al Et3.