Emulsion polymerization of ethylene in water medium catalysed by organotransition metal complexes

Ethylene was polymerized for the first time in water emulsion or miniemulsi on conditions with the aid of an organotransition metal catalyst, at ethyle ne pressures of 10-30 bar and temperatures of 45-80 degrees C. A maximal pr oductivity of 2520 kg PE/g-atom active metal was achieved, which represents about 60% of the productivity of the same catalyst when used in ethylene s uspension polymerization in organic phase at 4 bar reaction pressure. The p article size distribution of the latexes prepared is rather large, with a m aximum at 235 nm in the case of emulsion and 640 nm in the case of miniemul sion polymerization respectively.