New isopropylmaltol - Ti synthesis and its use as a catalyst for olefin polymerization

Abstract

This report describes a new synthesis of isopropylmaltol from furfural. This organic compound was used as ligand to obtain a new complex, the dichlorobis-(3-hydroxy-2-isopropyl-4-pyrone) titanium(IV). 1H nuclear magnetic ressonance, elemental analysis and UV-Vis analysis confirm the complex formation. This complex was investigated in ethylene polymerization using methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst. The catalytic activity was low, however, there were obtained very high molecular weight polyethylenes, which are interesting for various special applications.