| abstract |
A method is provided for the production of ultrahigh molecular weight drag reducing substances and the like comprising: (a) preparing under an inert atmosphere a catalyst comprising: (1) titanium halide of the general formula TiXm wherein m=2.5 to 4.0 and X is a halogen; (2) a co-catalyst such as an organo-aluminum or organo-aluminum halide of the formula AlRnX3-n where R is a hydrocarbon radical containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, X is a halogen and n is 2 or 3; (3) a monoether compound of the formula R1OR2 where R1, and R2 are, independently, aryl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or alkaryl, each having up to 20 carbon atoms, and placing the catalyst in contact with; (b) alpha-monoolefinic hydrocarbons having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms under suitable temperature conditions to provide an ultrahigh molecular weight hydrocarbon soluble polymer, then (c) ceasing polymerization at a polymer content of 20% by weight or less, based on the total reaction mixture. |