Versatile laboratory-scale polymerization reactor system: Metallocene/MAO-based ethylene/cycloolefin copolymerizations

A novel lab-scale reactor system designed for investigation of olefin polym erization reactions using homo- and heterogeneous catalysts is introduced. The high inert atmosphere level of the system is based on stainless-steel l ines and cylinders, a nitrogen/vacuum technique, and removable reactants ch ambers which are packed in a glove-box. The solvent is transferred straight from the distiller through the reagents' containers into the reactor. The reactor is equipped with an ethylene pressure/mass flow and two temperature -control systems. Data acquisition is based on a personal computer and soft ware for monitoring and data storage. The results of versatile ethylene cop olymerization with cyclopentene, cyclooctene, and cyclododecene with this r eactor system are discussed. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.