Title of Invention	" A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A CATALYST FOR THE POLYMERIZATION OF OLEFINS
Abstract	A process for producing a catalyst for the polymerisation of olefins comprising reacting : a) a solid catalyst component comprising a magnesium halide in active form and, supported thereon, a titanium compound containing at least one Ti-halogen bond and an electron-donor compound; b) an Al-alkyl compound; and c) an electron-donor compound; 100 :1 in the catalyst and the Al-alkyl compound and solid calalyst component (a) being in such an amount that the Al/Ti ratios range from 1 to 1000, said process being characterised in that the electron-donor compound is a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in position 2 belongs to a cyclic or polycyclic structure made up of 5, 6 or 7 carbon atoms, or of 5-n or 6-n' carbon atoms and respectively n nitrogen atoms and n' heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S and si, where n is 1 or 2, and n' is 1, 2 or 3, said structure containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyenic structure), and optionally being condensed with other cyclic structures, or substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl radicals; cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals and halogens, or being condensed with other cyclic structures and substituted with one or more of the above mentioned substituents that can also be bonded to the condensed cyclic structures; one or more of the above mentioned alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl radicals and the condensed cyclic structures optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes of carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both.

Title of Invention

" A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A CATALYST FOR THE POLYMERIZATION OF OLEFINS

Abstract

A process for producing a catalyst for the polymerisation of olefins comprising reacting : a) a solid catalyst component comprising a magnesium halide in active form and, supported thereon, a titanium compound containing at least one Ti-halogen bond and an electron-donor compound; b) an Al-alkyl compound; and c) an electron-donor compound; 100 :1 in the catalyst and the Al-alkyl compound and solid calalyst component (a) being in such an amount that the Al/Ti ratios range from 1 to 1000, said process being characterised in that the electron-donor compound is a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in position 2 belongs to a cyclic or polycyclic structure made up of 5, 6 or 7 carbon atoms, or of 5-n or 6-n' carbon atoms and respectively n nitrogen atoms and n' heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S and si, where n is 1 or 2, and n' is 1, 2 or 3, said structure containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyenic structure), and optionally being condensed with other cyclic structures, or substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl radicals; cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals and halogens, or being condensed with other cyclic structures and substituted with one or more of the above mentioned substituents that can also be bonded to the condensed cyclic structures; one or more of the above mentioned alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl radicals and the condensed cyclic structures optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes of carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both.

Full Text	The present invention concerns a process for producing a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins. The present application is divided from Indian Patent Application No. 186169 (316/Cal/96) dated 20th February 1996, Indian Patent No. 173341 describes solid catalyst components comprising as an internal electron-donor, an ether containing two or more ether groups, and having specific reaction characteristics toward the anhydrous magnesium chloride and TiCl4. The catalysts obtained from the reaction of said catalyst components with an Al-alkyl compound exhibit high activity and stereospecificity in the polymerization of olefins, and do not require the use of an external electron-donor. It has now been found that by reacting an Al-alkyl compound with a solid catalyst component comprising magnesium dihalide in active form, a titanium compound and a 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in position 2 belongs to a specific cyclic structure containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyenic structure), a catalyst is obtained which has uncommonly high catalytic activity and a high level of stereospecificity in the polymerization of olefins. In fact, the above mentioned 1,3-diethers with a cyclopolyenic structure (hereinafter cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers), which are not disclosed in Indian Patent No. 173341, confer to the abovementioned catalyst an activity considerably higher than the one obtained by using - 2 - the ethers known in the art. The addition of an external electron-donor to the above catalyst, containing the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether as internal electron-donor, allows one to obtain very high levels of stereospecificity while maintaining high activity. Thus one obtains balances of activity and stereospecificity that cannot be reached with the ethers known in the art. Indian Patent No. 173047 describes - catalysts comprising the reaction product of a solid catalyst component comprising a titanium compound and an internal electron-donor supported on a magnesium dihalide in active form, an Al-alkyl compound, and, as an external electron-donor, an ether containing two or more ether groups and capable of forming complexes with anhydrous magnesium chloride, under standard conditions, in quantities lower than 60 mmoles per 100 g of magnesium chloride. Said catalysts exhibit high activity and stereospecif icity in the polymerization of olefins. It has now been found that the performance of the above mentioned catalysts is improved when the previously said cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers are used as the external electron-donors . In fact, the catalysts obtained by using, as the external-electron donors, the above mentioned cyclopolyenic 1,3- - 3 - diethers, which are not disclosed in Indian Patent No. 173047, display, in the polymerization of olefins, very high balances of activity and stereospecificit not obtainable with the ethers known in the art. Accordingly the present invention provides a soli catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins, sai solid catalyst component comprising a magnesium halide i active form, and, supported thereon, a titanium compoun containing at least one Ti-halogen bond and, as the interna electron-donor compound, a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in position 2 belongs to a cyclic or polycycli structure made up of 5, 6, or 7 carbon atoms, or of 5-n or 6-n carbon atoms, and respectively n nitrogen atoms and n heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, S am Si, where n is 1 or 2 and n' is 1, 2, or 3, said structun containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyeni structure), and optionally being condensed with other cycli' structures, or substituted with one or more substituent selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alky radicals; cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals an halogens, or being condensed with other cyclic structures an substituted with one or more of the above mentione substituents that can also be bonded to the condensed cycli structures; one or more of the above mentioned alkyl -4 - cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or alkaryl radicals and the condensed cyclic structures optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes for carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both. According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins comprising the reaction product of: a) a catalyst component as defined above; b) an Al-alkyl compound, and optionally c) an electron-donor compound. According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins comprising the reaction product of an Al-alkyl compound and a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether with a solid catalyst component a1) comprising a magnesium halide in active form, and, supported thereon, a titanium compound containing at least one Ti-halogen bond and an electron-donor compound. The catalyst component a) is a preferred example of ctalyst component a1) . Preferably in the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers employed in preparing the catalyst component (a) the carbon atoms in positions 1 and 3 are seconday. The above substituents in the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers are preferably selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 - 5 - linear or branched alkyl radicals,- C3-C20 cycloalkyl; C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 aralkyl and C7-C20 alkaryl radicals; Cl and F. The heteroatoms optionally present in the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals and/or in the condensed cyclic structures are preferably selected from the group consisting of N; 0; S; P; Si and halogens, in particular Cl and F. Particularly preferred among the above cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers are the compounds of the general formula: where A, B, C and D are carbon atoms or heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S and Si; v, x and y are 0 or 1; u and z are 0 or 1 or 2; provided that when u = 0: i) A, B and C are carbon atoms and v, x and y are equal to 1,- or ii) A is a nitrogen atom, B and C are carbon atoms, v is - 6 - equal to 0, and x and y are equal to 1; or iii) A and B are nitrogen atoms, c is a carbon atom, v and x are equal to 0, and y is equal to 1; or iv) A and B are carbon atoms, C is a nitrogen atom, v and x are equal to 1, and y is equal to 0; when u = 1: 1) A, B, C and D are carbon atoms, v, x and y are equal to 1, and z is equal to 2; or 2) A and B are carbon atoms, C is a nitrogen atom, D is an oxygen atom, v and x are equal to 1, y and z are equal to 0; or 3) A, B and £ are carbon atoms, D is an oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or silicon atom, v, x and y are equal to 1, and z is equal to 0 when D is an oxygen or sulfur atom, equal to 1 when D is a nitrogen atom, and equal to 2 when D is a silicon atom; when 11=2 A, B and C are carbon atoms, D represents two carbon atoms bonded to each other by a single or double bond, v, x and y are equal to 1, and z is equal to 1 when the couple of carbon atoms D is bonded by a double bond, and equal to 2 when said couple is bonded by a single bond; radicals R and R1, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogens, preferably Cl and F; -7- C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; the R11 radicals, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals, and two or more of the R radicals can be bonded to each other to form condensed cyclic structures, saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted with RIII radicals selected from the group consisting of halogens, preferably Cl and F; C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C30 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; said radicals from R to RIII optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes for carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both. Preferably, in the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers employed in preparing the catalyst component a) all the R1 radicals in the compounds of formula (I) are hydrogen, and the two R11 radicals are methyl. The heteroatoms optionally present in the radicals from R to RIII are preferably selected from the group consisting of N; 0; S; P; Si and halogens, in particular Cl and F. A more restricted class of the compounds of formula (I) is constituted by the compounds of the general formula: -8 - where the radicals from R to R11 have the meaning defined above for formula (I), including the preferred cases. In particular, two or more of the R radicals can be bonded to each other to form one or more condensed cyclic structures, preferably benzenic, optionally substituted by R111 radicals. Specific examples of compounds comprised in formula (II) are: 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl}-cyclopentadiene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadiene; 1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylcyclopentadiene; 1,1-bis (methoxymethyl) -2, 3 ,4, 5-tetrafluorocyclopentadiene ¦, 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-3,4-dicyclopentylcyclopentadiene; 1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)indene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3-dimethy1indene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-4,5,6,7 -tetrahydroindene; -9- 1,1 -bis {methoxymethyl) -2, 3 , 6, 7- tetraf luoroindene ; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-4,7-dimethylindene; l,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-3,6-dimethylindene; 1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-4-phenylindene; 1,1-bis (methoxymethyl) -4-phenyl-2-tnethylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-4-cyclohexylindene; l,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)indene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-trimethylsilylindene; 1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-trifluoromethylindene; 1, l-bis(methoxymethyl)-4,7-dimethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-methylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-cyclopenthylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-isopropylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-cyclohexylindene; 1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-tert-butylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-tert-butyl-2-methylindene; l,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-phenylindene; 1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-2-phenylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-lH-benz[e]indene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-lH-2-methylbenzle)indene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7 7-tetramethylf luorene ; 9, 9-bis (methoxymethyl)-2, 3, 4,5,6, 7-hexafluoroflurene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3-benzofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-dibenzofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,7 -diisopropylfluorene; 9,9-bis{methoxymethyl)-1,8-dichlorofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,7-dicyclopentylfluorene, 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-1,8-difluorofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrofluorene; 9, 9-bis (methoxymethyl) -1,2,3,4,5,6,7, 8-octahydrofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-4 -tert-butylfluorene. Other examples of cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers comprised in the definitions above are: 1,1-bis (1' -butoxyethyl) -cyclopentadiene; 1,1-bis(1'-isopropoxy-n.propyl)cyclopentadiene; 1-methoxymethyl-l- ( 1 ' -methoxyethyl) -2, 3 , 4, 5-tetramethylcyclopentadiene; 1,1-bis(a-metoxybenzyl)indene; 1,1-bis(phenoxymethyl)indene; 1,l-bis(1'-methoxyethyl)-5,6-dichloroindene; 1,1-bis(phenoxymethyl)-3,6-dicyclohexy1indene; 1-methoxymethyl-l-(1'-methoxyethyl)-7-tert-butylindene; 1,1-bis[2-(2'methoxypropyl)]-2-methylindene; 3,3-bis(methoxymethyl)-3H-2-methylbenz[e]indene; 9,9-bis(a-methoxybenzyl)fluorene; 9,9-bis(1'-isopropoxy-n.butyl)-4,5 -diphenylfluorene; 9, 9-bis (1' -methoxyethyl) fluorene; -11- 9- ( methoxymethyl) -9-(l'-methoxyethyl)-2,3,6,7- tetrafluorofluorene; 9-methoxymethyl-9-pentoxymethylfluorene; 9 -methoxymethyl - 9 - ethoxyme thy1fluorene ; 9-methoxymethyl-9-(l'methoxyethyl)-fluorene; 9-methoxymethyl-9-[2-(2-methoxypropyl) ] -fluorene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,5-cyclohexadiene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)benzonaphthene; 7, 7-bis (methoxymethyl) 2, 5-norbornadiene ; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-1,4-methanedihydronaphthalene; 4,4-bis(methoxymethyl)-4H-cyclopenta[d,e,fJphenanthrene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)9,10-dihydroanthracene; 1, 7-bis(methoxymethyl)-7H-benz[d,e]anthracene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)1,2-dihydronaphthalene; 4,4-bis(methoxymethyl)-l-phenyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene; 4,4-bis(methoxymethyl)-1-phenyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalene; 5,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-1,3,6-cycloheptatriene; 5,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d] cycloheptene; 5,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene; 9, 9-bis(methoxymethyl)xanthene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-tetramethylxanthene; 9,9-bis(l'methoxyisobutyl)thioxanthene; 4,4-bis(methoxymethyl-1,4-pyran; - 12- metnoxymethyl)-a,4-chromene; 4,4-bis(methoxymethyl)-1, 2, 4-oxazine; 1,1-bis (methoxymetyyl) benzo -2,3,1-oxazine; 5,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-1,5-pyrindine; 5,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-6,7-dimethyl-1,5-pyrindine; 2,2=bis (methoxymethyl)3,4,5-trifluoroisopyrrole; 4,4-bis (1'methoxyethyl)benzo-N-phenyl-1,4-dihydropyridine. The cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers according to the present invention can be prepared by first synthesizing the cyclopolyendimethylol by way of reaction of the desired cyclopolyene with paraformaldehyde in the presence of sodium alcoholate (as described by B. WESSLEN, ACTA CHEM.SCAND.21 (1967)718-20), and then transforming the dimethylol derivative into the corresponding diether by way of alkylation, cycloalkylation, or arylation, according to known techniques, such as by reaction of the dimethylol derivative with an alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl halide in the presence of a strong base, such as NaH, in proper solvent, such as tetrahydrofurane. The electron-donor compound present in the solid catalyst component a1) can be a Lewis base containing one or more electronegative groups where the electron-donor atoms are selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S, P, As or Sn. Examples of the above mentioned electron-donor compounds are - 13 - widely described in the art. Preferred are the electron-donor compounds that can be extracted with Al-triethyl from the catalyst component a1) for at least 70% in moles, the surface area (B.E.T.) of the solid product of extraction being at least 20 m2/g, and generally ranging from 100 to 300 m2/g. Examples of the above mentioned electron-donor compounds are described in Indian Patent No.161721 and comprise ethers, ketones. lactones, compounds containing N, P, and/or S atoms, and specific types of esters. In addition to the esters of Indian Patent No.161721, the esters described in Indian Patent No.154219 can be used. Particularly suited are the phthalic acid esters such as diisobutyl, dioctyl and diphenyl phthalate, benzyl-butyl phthalate; the malonic acid esters such as diisobutyl and diethyl malonate; the alkyl and aryl pivalates; the alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl maleates; the alkyl and aryl carbonates such as diisobutyl carbonate, ethyl-phenyl carbonate and diphenyl carbonate; the succinic acid esters such as mono and diethyl succinate. Preferred are the phthalic acid esters. Also useful in the catalyst component a1) are the electron-donor compounds described In Indian Patent No.173341. Said compounds are ethers that contain two or more ether groups, and that, under standard conditions, are capable of - 14 - forming complexes with anhydrous magnesium chloride for less that 60 mmoles per 100 g of chloride and with TiCl, they do not undergo substitution reactions, or they only do so for less than 5 0% in moles. The tests that allow the verification of the above reactivity criteria are reported below. Complexing test of the ethers with MgCl2 In a 100 ml glass flask with fixed blades mechanical stirrer are introduced under nitrogen atmosphere in order: 70 ml of anhydrous n-heptane 12 mmoles of anhydrous MgCl2 activated as described below 2 mmoles of ether. The content is allowed to react at 60°C for 4 hours (stirring speed at 400 rpm) . It is then filtered and washed at ambient temperature with 100 ml of n-heptane after which it in dried with a mechanical pump. The solid is characterized, after having been treated with 100 ml of ethanol, by way of a gaschromatographic quantitative analysis for the analysis of the quantity of ether fixed. Test of the reaction with TiCl4 In a 25 ml test-tube with a magnetic stirrer and under nitrogen atmosphere are introduced: 10 ml of anhydrous n-heptane, 5 mmoles of TiCl4 , -15- 1 mmole of donor The content is allowed to react at 70°C for 30 minutes, after which it is cooled to 25°C and decomposed with 90 ml of ethanol. The solutions obtained are analyzed by way of gaschromatography using the internal standard method, with an HRGC 5300 Mega Series Carlo Erba gaschromatograph with a 25 meters chrompack CP-SIL 5 CB capillary column. The magnesium chloride used in the complexing test with the ethers is prepared as follows. In a 1 liter vibrating mill jar (Vibratom from Siebtechnik) containing 1.8 Kg of steel spheres 16 mm in diameter, are introduced under nitrogen atmosphere 5 0 g of anhydrous MgCl2 and 6.8 ml of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE). The content is milled at room temperature for 96 hours, after which the solid recovered is kept under vacuum in the mechanical pump for 16 hours at 50°C. Characterization of the solid: half-peak breadth of the reflection DUO = 1.15 cm. Presence of a halo with maximum intensity at 26 = 32.1° Surface area (B.E.T.) = 125 m2/g residual DCE = 2.5% by weight. Examples of ethers having the features indicated above are the 1,3-diethers of formula -16- where R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and are linear or branched c1-Cl8 alkyl, C3-C18 cycloalkyl, C8-C18 aryl, C7-C18 aralkyl or alkaryl radicals, and R2 or R3 can also be a hydrogen atom. Preferably, R, is a 1-6 carbon alkyl radical, and more particularly a methyl. Moreover, when R2 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, or isopropyl, R3 can be ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylhexyl, cyclopenthyl, cyclohexyl, methylcyclohexyl, phenyl or benzyl; when R2 is hydrogen, R3 can be ethyl, butyl, sec.butyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylhexyl, cyclohexyl ethyl, diphenyltnethyl, p-chlorophenyl, 1-naphthyl, X-decahydronaphthyl; R2 and R3 can also be the same and can be ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, neopentyl, phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl. Specific examples of ethers that can be advantageously used include: 2-(2-ethylhexyl)1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-butyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-sec-butyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-cyclohexyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-phenyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-tert-butyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-cumy1-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-{2-phenylethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2 -(2 -cyclohexylethyl)-1,3 - -17 - dimethoxypropane, 2- (p-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2- (diphenylmethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2(1-naphthyl)-1,3- dimethoxypropane, 2(p-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2(1- decahydronaphthyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2 (p-tert-butylphenyl)- 1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dicyclohexyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-diethyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dipropyl-1,3- dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dibutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2- diethyl-1,3-diethoxypropane, 2,2-dicyclopentyl-l,3- dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dipropyl-l,3-diethoxypropane, 2,2- dibutyl-1,3-diethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-ethyl-l,3 - dimethoxypropane, 2 -methyl- 2-propyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2 - methyl-2-benzyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-phenyl-l,3- dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-cyclohexyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-methylcyclohexyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-bis(p- chlorophenyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2, 2-bis(2-phenylethyl)-1,3- dimethoxypropane , 2., 2-bis (2-cyclohexylethyl) -1,3- dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-isobutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2- methyl-2-(2-ethylhexyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-bis (2- ethylhexyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane,2 , 2-bis(p-methylphenyl)-1,3- dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl- 2 -isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-diisobutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-diphenyl-1,3- dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dibenzyl-1, 3-dimethoxypropane, 2- isopropyl-2-cyclopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2- bis(cyclohexylmethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-diisobutyl-l,3- - 18 - diethoxypropane, 2,2-diisobutyl-l,3-dibuthoxypropane, 2-isobutyl-2-isopropyl-l, 3~dimetoxypropane, 2,2-di-sec-butyl-l,3-dimetoxypropane, 2,2-di-tert-butyl-l,3-dimetoxypropane, 2,2-dineopentyl-1,3-dimetoxypropane, 2 -isopropy1-2 -isopentyl-1,3-dimetoxypropane, 2-phenyl-2-benzyl-1,3-dimetoxypropane, 2 -cyclohexyl-2 -cyclohexylmethyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane. The preparation of the solid catalyst components a) and a1) can be carried out using various methods. For example, the magnesium halide (used anhydrous, containing less than 1% of water), the titanium compound, and the electron-donor compound are milled together under conditions that cause the activation of the magnesium halide,-the milled product is then caused to react one or more times with TiCl4 in excess, optionally in the presence of an electron-donor, at a temperature ranging from 80 to 135°C, and then repeatedly washed with a hydrocarbon (such as hexane, for example) until no chlorine ions can be detected in the wash liquid. According to another method the anhydrous magnesium halide is preactivated according to known methods and then reacted with an excess of TiCl4 containing the electron-donor compound and optionally an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent (for example: hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, toluene, ethylbenzene, chlorobenzene, - 19 - dichloroethane). In this case also the operation takes place at a temperature between 80° and 135°C. The reaction with TiCl4, in the presence or absence of an electron-donor, is optionally repeated and the solid is then washed with hexane to eliminate the nonreacted TiCl4. According to another method, a MgCl2.nROH adduct {particularly in the form of spheroidal particles) where n is generally from 1 to 3, and ROH is an alcohol, such as ethanol, butanol, isobutanol for example, is caused to react with an excess of TiCl4 containing the electron-donor compound and optionally one of the above mentioned hydrocarbon solvents. The reaction temperature initially is from 0 to 25°C, and is then increased to 80-13 5°C. After reaction, the solid is reacted once more with TiCl4, in the presence or absence of the electron-donor, then separated and washed with a hydrocarbon until no chlorine ions can be detected in the wash liquid. According to yet another method, magnesium alcoholates and chloroalcoholates (the chloroalcoholates can be prepared particularly as described in Indian Patent No.149940 are caused to react with TiCl4 in excess containing the electron-donor compound, operating under the reaction conditions already described. According to another method, complexes of magnesium halides with titanium alcoholates {the MgCl2. 2Ti (OC4H9) 4 complex -20 - is a typical example) are caused to react, in a hydrocarbon solution, with TiCl4 in excess containing the electron-donor compound; the separated solid product is reacted again with an excess of TiCl4, in the presence or absence of electron-donor, and then separated and washed with hexane. The reaction with TiCl4 is carried out at a temperature ranging from 80° to 130°C. According to a variance,, the MgCl2 and titanium alcoholate complex is caused to react in a hydrocarbon solution with polyhydrosiloxane; the separated solid product is reacted at 50°C with silicon tetrachloride containing the electron-donor compound; the solid is then reacted with TiCl4 in excess, in the presence or absence of electron-donor, operating at 80°-130°C. Independently from the specific preparation method, after the last reaction with TiCl4 in the presence of the electron-donor, it is preferable to separate the solid obtained (by way of filtration, for example) , and cause it to react with an excess of TiCl4 at temperatures ranging from 80 to 135°C, before washing it with the hydrocarbon solvent. Finally, it is possible to cause to react TiCl4 in excess and containing the electron-donor with porous resins such as partially cross-linked styrene-divinylbenzene in spherical particle form, or porous inorganic oxides such as silica and alumina, impregnated with solutions of magnesium compounds or - 21 - complexes soluble in organic solvents. The porous resins which can be used are described in the abandoned Indian Patent Application No. 416/Cal/89. The reaction with TiCl4 is carried out at 80-100°C. After separating the excess TiCl4, the reaction is repeated and the solid is then washed with a hydrocarbon. The MgCl3/electron-donor molar ratio used in the reactions indicated above generally ranges from 4:1 to 12:1. The electron-donor compound is fixed on the magnesium halide in a quantity generally ranging from 1 to 20% molar. In particular, the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether is fixed on the magnesium halide in a quantity generally ranging from 5 to 20% molar. In the solid catalyst components a) and a1) the Mg/Ti ratio is generally from 30:1 to 4:1; in the components supported on resins or on inorganic oxides the ratio can be different and usually ranges from 20:1 to 2:1. The titanium compounds that can be used for the preparation of catalyst components a) and a1) are the halides and halogen alcoholates. The titanium tetrachloride is the preferred compound. Satisfactory results can also be obtained with the trihalides, particularly TiCl3 HR, TiCl3 ARA, and with the halogen alcoholates such as TiCl3 OR, where R is a phenyl radical, for example. - 22. - The above reactions cause the formation of magnesium halide in active form. In addition to these reactions, other reactions are known in the literature that bring to the formation of magnesium halide in active form starting from magnesium compounds different from the halides. The active form of the magnesium halides present in the catalyst components of the invention is recognizable by the fact that in the X-rays spectrum of the catalyst component the major intensity reflection which appears in the spectrum of the nonactivated magnesium halides (having surface area smaller than 3 m2/g) is no longer present, but in its place there is a halo with the position of the maximum intensity shifted with respect to the position of the major intensity reflection, or by the fact that the major intensity reflection presents a half-peak breadth at least 30% greater that the one of the corresponding reflection of the nonactivated Mg halide. The most active forms are those in which the halo appears in the X-ray spectrum of the solid catalyst component; Among the magnesium halides, the chloride is the preferred compound. In the case of the most active forms of the magnesium chloride, the halo appears in place of the reflection which in the spectrum of the nonactivated magnesium chloride is situated at the interplanar distance of 2.56 A. The catalyst components a) and a1) form, by reaction with - 23 - the Al-alkyl compounds, catalysts which can be used in the polymerization of CH2 = CHR olefins, where R is hydrogen or a 1-6 carbon alkyl radical, or an aryl radical, or mixtures of said olefins or of said olefins and diolefins. However the present invention requires the use of an external electron-donor with the catalyst component a1}, at least when the latter is different from the catalyst component a) . The Al-alkyl compounds comprise Al-trialkyls such as Al-triethyl, Al-triisobutyl, Al-tri-n-butyl, Al-trioctyl. One can also use linear or cyclic Al-alkyl compounds containing one or more Al atoms bonded to one another with 0, N, or S atoms. Examples of said compounds are: where n is a number from 1 to 20; A1R2OR' compounds where R' is a C6-C20 aryl radical substituted at position 2 and/or 6, and -24- R is a C1-C6 alkyl radical, and A1R2H compounds where R is a C1-C6 alkyl radical. The Al-Alkyl compound is used in Al/Ti ratios generally ranging from 1 to 1000. The trialkyl compounds can also be used in blends with Al-alkyl halides such as AlEt2Cl and AlEt3/2Cl3/2. The polymerization of the olef ins is carried out according to known methods operating in liquid phase constituted by one or more monomers, or by a solution of one or more monomers in an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, or in gas phase, or also by combining polymerization stages in liquid phase and in gas phase. The (co)polymerization temperature is usually from 0° to 150°C; particularly from 60° to 100°C. The operation occurs at atmospheric pressure or higher. The catalysts can be precontacted with small quantities of olefins (prepolymerization) . The prepolymerization improves the performance of the catalysts as well as the morphology of the polymers. The prepolymerization is carried out maintaining the catalysts in suspension in a hydrocarbon solvent {hexane or heptane, for example), adding an olefin, and operating at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 60°C producing a quantity of polymer generally from 0.5 to 3 times the weight of the catalyst. It can also be carried out in liquid monomer, - 25 - under the temperature conditions indicated above, and producing quantities of polymer which can reach 1000 g per g of catalytic component. When the catalyst component a) is to be employed in the stereoregular polymerization of olefins, propylene in particular, an external electron-donor can be added to the Al-alkyl, said external electron-donor compound being preferably selected from the group consisting of silicon compounds containing at least one Si-OR bond (R = hydrocarbon radical); 2 , 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine; 2,6-diisopropylpiperidine; carboxylic acid esters, such as ethylparatoluate and ethylbenzoate, and di- and polyethers. Preferably the silicon compounds have the formula R4nSi (OR5)4-n where n is 1 or 2, the R4 radical or radicals, same or different, are C1-C12 alkyl, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, C6-C12 aryl, C7-C12 alkaryl or aralkyl radicals, radicals, where R6 and R7 are the same or different and have the same meaning defined above for R4 or are bonded to each other to form a cyclic structure; the Rs radicals are the same or different and are C1-C6 alkyl radicals. Optionally the R4 to R7 radicals can contain one or more halogens, in particular Cl and F, as substitutes for hydrogen - 26 - atoms. Examples of said compounds are: (tert-butyl)a Si(OCH3)2; (cyclohexyl)a Si(OCH3)2; (isopropyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; {sec-butyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; (cyclohexyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3)2; (cyclopentyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; (isopropyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3) 2; (n-butyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; (isobutyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; (sec-butyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; (tert-butyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-amyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-hexyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3)2; (2-norbornyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-butyl) (cyclopentyl) Si(OCH3) 2; (2-norbornyl) (cyclopentyl) Si(OCH3) 2 ; (tert-butyl) Si(OCH3)3; (tert-butyl) Si(OC2H5)3; (2-norbornyl) Si(OCH3)3; (2-norbornyl) Si(OC2Hs)3; (tert-hexyl) Si(OCH3)3; (tert-hexyl) Si(OC2H5)3; (tert-butyl) (2-methylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; -27- (tert-butyl) (3-methylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-butyl) (4-methylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-hexyl) (piperidyl) Si{OCH3)2; {tert-hexyl) (pyrrolidinyl) Si(OCH3)2; (methyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3)2; (isopropyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3) 2; (n-butyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3)2; (isobutyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3) 2; (sec-butyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-butyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3) 2; (3r3,3-trifluoropropyl) (piperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) (2-methylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) (2-ethylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) (3-methylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) (4-methylpiperidyl) Si (OCH3) 2; (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)2 Si(OCH3)2. - 28 - Examples of preferred diethers that can be used external electron-donors with the catalyst component a) are compounds of the general formula where RIV, Rv, RVI, RvII, RVIII and RIX are the same or different, and are hydrogen; linear or branched C1-C18 alkyl radicals, C3-C18 cycloalkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C7-C18 aralkyl or alkaryl radicals, provided that only one of RIV and Rv can be hydrogen; Rx and RXI have the same meaning as RIV and Rv except for hydrogen, provided that when the radicals from Rv to RIX are hydrogen and Rx and Rxl are methyl, RIV is not methyl; moreover, two or more of the RVI to RXI radicals can be bonded to form a cyclic structure. Preferably in the above formula Rx and RXI are methyl and RIV and Rv are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of isopropyl; isobutyl; tert-butyl; cyclohexyl; isopentyl; cyclohexylethyl; pentyl; cyclopentyl; heptyl; 1,5-dimethylhexyl; 3,7-dimethyloctyl; phenyl; cyclohexylmethyl; and propyl. Specific examples of the above mentioned diethers are: 2,2-diisobutyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane; 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane;2,2-diisopropyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane;2-isopropyl-2-cyclohexylmethyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane; 2,2-diphenyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane. Additional examples of diethers having the above mentioned formula are listed in Indian Patent No. 173047. Particularly preferred for use as external electron-donors with the catalyst component a) are the cyclopolyenic 1,3- - 29 - diethers. The molar ratio of the Al-alkyl compound to the external electron-donor generally is from 5:1 to 100:1, and preferably from 10:1 to 30:1; said ratio can be broader, for example from 0.5:1 to 100:1, during the prepolymerization phase. The catalysts find particular application in the polymerization of CH2=CHR olefins where R is a 1-6 carbon alkyl or aryl radical. In particular, said catalysts are adequate for the polymerization of propylene or its copolymerization with ethylene or other -olefins. Carrying out the polymerization in liquid monomer operating with Al/Ti ratios lower than 50, it is possible to obtain, thanks to the high productivity of the catalysts of the present invention, hyperpure homopolymers and copolymers of propylene useful in the electronic field (capacitor grade). The catalysts of the present invention are also adequate for the production of polyethylenes and copolymers of ethylene with -olefins, such as 1-butene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene. The following examples are given in order to illustrate and not limit the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, the percentages in the examples are expressed by weight. The melt flow rate (MFR) for polypropylene is determined according to ASTM D1238, condition L. The intrinsic viscosity [N] is determined in - 30 - tetrahydronaphthalene at 135°C. In order to determine the fraction insoluble in xylene at 25°C (X.I. %}, 2.5 g of polymer are dissolved under agitation in 250 ml of xylene at 135°C, and after 20 minutes it is allowed to cool to 25°C. After 30 minutes the precipitated polymer is filtered and dried at reduced pressure at 80°C until constant weight is reached. Synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene In a 500 ml flask, in anhydrous atmosphere, are introduced in order: 100 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) distilled on CaH, 8 g of paraformaldehyde (rendered anhydrous at ambient temperature and at a pressure of 2 torr for 8 hours), and 1.4 g of sodium ethylate dissolved in 6 ml of ethanol. After having cooled the suspension with an ice bath (the melt temperature of the DMSO/EtOH mixture is 13°C) , while maintaining the suspension under agitation, 100 ml of a solution of 16 g of fluorene in DMSO are added, in a period of thirty seconds. After 3 minutes from the beginning of the addition of the solution of fluorene in DMSO, the reaction is stopped with 1.5 ml of HC1 at 37%, and then it is diluted with 400 ml of water. The mixture is saturated with NaCl, and the 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is then rendered anhydrous with anhydrous Na2SO4 and the solvent is distilled off. After crystallization - 31 - by way of toluene, 15.2 g of product (yield: 70%) is obtained. The 1H-NMR spectrum in CDC13, at 2 00 MHz and using tetramethylsilane (TMS) as internal standard, shows the following: 7.77 ppm, doublet, 2H aromatics 7.62 ppm, doublet, 2H aromatics 7.41 ppm, triplet, 2H aromatics 7.32 ppm triplet, 2H aromatics 3.9 9 ppm doublet, 4H CH2 0.25 ppm, triplet, 2H OH. Synthesis of 9,9-bis(methoxymethvl)fluorene In a 100 ml flask are introduced, in nitrogen atmosphere, in order: 30 ml of tetrahydrofuran (THF) , 11.3 g of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene, and 31.1 ml of CH3I. While maintaining under agitation and operating at ambient temperature, 4 g of NaH at 60% by weight in mineral oil is added, in a period of 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the content is then allowed to react for 1 hour and 30 minutes. By way of distillation the nonreacted CH3I is recovered, and the remaining content is diluted with 100 ml of water; the resulting floating solid is filtered and dried under vacuum at 40°C. By way of ethanol crystallization, 11.3 g of product (yield: 90%) is obtained. The 1H-NMR spectrum in CDC13, at 200 MHz and using TMS as internal standard, shows the following: 7.75 ppm, doublet, 2H aromatics - 32- - 7.65 ppm, doublet, 2H aromatics 7.39 ppm, triplet, 2H aromatics 7.29 ppm triplet, 2H aromatics 3.64 ppm singlet, 4H CH2 3.35 ppm, singlet, 6H CH3. Example 1 In a 500 ml cylindric glass reactor equipped with a filtering barrier are introduced at 0°C 225 ml of TiCl4, and, while under agitation in a period of 15 minutes, 10.1 g (54 mmoles) of microspheroidal MgCl2.2.1 C2H5OH obtained as described below. At the end of the addition, the temperature is brought to 70°C, and 9 mmoles of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene are introduced. The temperature is increased to 100°C and, after 2 hours, the TiCl4 is removed by filtration. 200 ml of TiCl4 and 9 mmoles of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene are added; after 1 hour at 120°C the content is filtered again and another 200 ml of TiCl4 are added, continuing the treatment at 120°C for one more hour; finally, the content is filtered and washed at 60°C with n-heptane until all chlorine ions disappear from the filtrate. The catalyst component obtained in this manner contains: Ti = 3.5% by weight; 9,9-bis{methoxymethyl)fluorene = 16.2% by weight. The microspheroidal MgCl2.2.1 C2H5,OH is prepared as follows. - 33 - 48 g of anhydrous MgCl2, 77 g of anhydrous C2H5OH, and 830 ml of kerosene are fed, in inert gas and at ambient temperature, in a 2 liter autoclave equipped with a turbine agitator and drawing pipe. The content is heated to 120°C while stirring thus forming the adduct between MgCl2 and the alcohol that melts and remains mixed with the dispersing agent. The nitrogen pressure inside the autoclave is maintained at 15 atm. The drawing pipe of the autoclave is heated externally to 120°C with a heating jacket, has an inside diameter of l mm, and is 3 meters long from one end of the heating jacket to the other. Then the mixture is caused to flow through the pipe at a velocity of 7m/sec ca. At the exit of the pipe the dispersion is gathered in a 5 1 flask, under agitation, containing 2.5 1 of kerosene, and being externally cooled by way of a jacket maintained at an initial temperature of -40°C. The final temperature of the dispersion is 0°C. The spherical solid product that constituted the dispersed phase of the emulsion is separated by way of settling and filtration, and then washed with heptane and dried. All these operations are carried out in an inert gas atmosphere. 130 g of MgCl2.3 C2H5OH in the form of spherical solid particles with a maximum diameter less than or equal to 50 micron, are obtained. - 34.- The alcohol is removed from the product thus obtained at temperatures that gradually increase from 5 0°C to 100°C in nitrogen current until the alcohol content is reduced to 2.1 moles per mole of MgCl2. In a 4 liter autoclave, previously purged with gaseous propylene at 70°C for 1 hour, are introduced at ambient temperature and in propylene current 70 ml of anhydrous n-hexane containing 7 mmoles of aluminum triethyl and 4 mg of the solid catalyst component prepared as described above. The autoclave is closed, 1.7 Nl of hydrogen and 1.2 kg of liquid propylene are introduced; the agitator is put in motion and the temperature is increased to 70°C in a period of 5 minutes. After 2 hours at 70°C, the agitation is interrupted, the nonpolymerized monomer is removed, and the content is cooled to ambient temperature. 380 g of polypropylene is discharged from the autoclave, said polypropylene having a fraction insoluble in xylene at 25°C (X.I.) = 97.7%, and a melt index MFR/L =4.5 g/10 min. The polymer yield is 95,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Example 2 The procedure of Example 1 is used, except that the hexane suspension introduced in the polymerization autoclave is made up as follows: 70 ml of anhydrous n-hexane, 7 mmoles of aluminum triethyl, 5.3 mg of a solid catalyst component - 35 - prepared as described in Example 1, and 0.35 mmoles of dicyclopentyl- dimethoxysilane. 403 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 99% and melt index MFR/L = 4.2 g/10 min. is obtained. The polymer yield is 76,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Comparative example 1 The procedure of Example 1 is used, but in this case in order to prepare the solid catalyst component, two aliquots equal to 9 mmoles each of 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane are used instead of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene. The solid catalyst component thus obtained contains: Ti = 3.6% by weight; 2-isopropyl-2~ isopentyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane = 12.7% by weight. The polymerization is then conducted as described in Example 1, using 5.7 mg of the above mentioned solid catalyst component. 400 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 98.0% and melt index MFR/L = 5.1 g/10 min. is obtained. The polymer yield is 70,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Comparative example 2 The procedure of Example 2 is used, but in this case the hexane suspension introduced in the polymerization autoclave is made up as follows: 70 ml of anhydrous n-hexane, 7 mmoles of aluminum triethyl, 7.0 mg of solid catalyst component prepared as described in Comparative Example 1, and 0.35 mmoles - 36 - of dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane. 350 g of polypropylene having X.I.- = 98.9% and melt index MFR/L = 5.5 g/10 min. is obtained. The polymer yield is 50,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Example 3 In the autoclave described in Example 1, previously purged with gaseous propylene at 70°C for l hour, are introduced at ambient temperature in order: 4.1 g of ethylene, 1.2 1 of liquid propylene and 0.34 1 of hydrogen. The agitator is put in motion, the temperature is increased to 70°C in a period of 5 minutes, and by way of a steel syringe pressurized with nitrogen, a suspension composed of 10 ml of anhydrous n-hexane, 4 mmoles of aluminum triethyl, and 4 mg of a solid catalyst component prepared as described in Example l is introduced. The stirring is maintained for 1.5 hours at 70°C and 32.7, bar, while feeding a propylene/ethylene mixture containing 5.9% moles of ethylene. At the end, the stirring is interrupted, the nonpolymerized monomers are removed, and the content is cooled to ambient temperature. 600 g of copolymer having an ethylene content of 4% by weight, X.I. = 91.6%, and an intrinsic viscosity [ ] =1.59 dl/g is obtained. The copolymer yield is 150,000 g of propylene-ethylene copolymer/g of solid catalyst component. Comparative example 3 Example 3 is repeated, but. using in this case 4.1 mg of - 37 - the solid catalyst component prepared according to comparative Example 1 (containing 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane instead of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene). One obtains 420 g of copolymer having an ethylene content of 3.9% by weight, X.I. = 90.7%, and intrinsic viscosity [ ] = 1.55 dl/g is obtained. The copolymer yield is 102,000 g of propylene-ethylene copolymer/ g of solid catalyst component. Example 4 Example 2 is repeated using 5.2 mg of the solid catalyst component of Example 1, but in this case the hexane suspension of the catalyst contains 0.35 mmoles of 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane instead of 0.35 mmoles of dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane. 314 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 99.0% is obtained. The polymer yield is 60,000 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 4 Example 1 is repeated, but in this case to prepare the solid catalyst component, two aliquots equal to 9 mmoles each of 2, 2-diisobutyl-l, 3-dimethoxypropane are used instead of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene. The product obtained comprises: Ti = 2.8% by weight; 2,2-diisobutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane = 14.7% by weight. Using 6.1 mg of solid catalyst component, 260 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 96.9% and melt index MFR/L = 4.9 g/10 min. is obtained. The polymer yield is 42,600 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. - 38- Comparative example 5 Example 1 is repeated, but in this case the solid catalyst component is prepared by using two aliquots equal to 9 mmoles each of 2, 2-diisopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane instead of 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl) fluorene. The product contains-. Ti = 2.6% by weight; 2,2-diisopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane = 17.6% by weight. By using 7.3 mg of solid catalyst component, 332 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 95.21 and a melt index MFR/L =5.2 g 10 min. is obtained. The polymer yield is 45,400 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative example 6 Example l is repeated, but in this case the solid catalyst component is prepared by using two aliquots equal to 9 mmoles each of 2-isopropyl-2-cyclohexyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane instead of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene. The product obtained contains: Ti = 3.2% by weight; 2-isopropyl-2-cyclohexyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane = 13.2% by weight. By using 6.5 mg of solid catalyst component, 261 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 97.2% and melt index MFR/L = 5.9 g 10/min. is obtained. The yield is 40,200 g of polypropylene/g catalyst component. Example 5 In a 500 ml cylindrical glass reactor equipped with a filtering barrier are introduced at 0°C 225 ml of TiCl4 and, -39 - while under agitation in a period of 15 minutes, 10.1 g (54 mmoles) of microspheroidal MgCl2.2.l C2H5OH obtained as described in Example 1. At the end of the addition, the temperature is brought to 40°C and 9 mmoles of diisobutyl phthalate are introduced. The temperature is increased to 100°C in the course of 1 hour, and the stirring continues for an additional 2 hours. The TiCl4 is then removed by filtration, 200 ml of TiCl4 are added while continuing the stirring at 12O°C for one more hour. Finally, the content is filtered and washed at 60°C with n-heptane until all chlorine ions disappear from the filtrate. The catalyst component obtained in this manner contains: Ti = 3.3% by weight; diisobutyl phthalate = 8.2% by weight. In a 4 liter autoclave, previously purged with gaseous propylene at 70°C for 1 hour, are introduced at ambient temperature and in propylene current 70 ml of anhydrous n-hexane containing 7 mmoles of aluminum triethyl and 0.35 mmoles of 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl) fluorene, and 10 mg of the solid catalyst component prepared as described above. The autoclave is closed, 1.7 Nl of hydrogen and 1.2 kg of liquid propylene are introduced; the agitator is put in motion and the temperature is increased to 70°C in a period of 5 minutes. After 2 hours at 70°C, the agitation is interrupted, the nonpolymerized monomer is removed, and the content is cooled to ambient temperature. -40 - 450 g of polypropylene is discharged from the autoclave, said polypropylene having a fraction insoluble in xylene at 25°C (X.I.) =97,5% and a melt index MFR/L = 5.0 g/10 min. The polymer yield is 45,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Comparative Example 7 Example 5 is repeated using 8.9 mg of the solid catalyst component of Example 5, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2-isopropyl,2-isopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane are used as the external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl (instead of the 9, 9-bis (methoxymethyl) f luorene) . 339 g of polypropylene are obtained, said polypropylene having X.I. = 97.7% and melt index MFR/L = 5.2 g/10 min. The polymer yield is 38,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Example 6 In a 500 ml cylindrical glass reactor equipped with a filtering barrier are introduced at 0°C 225 ml of TiCl4 and, while under agitation in a period of 15 minutes, 10.1 g (54 mmoles) of microspheroidal MgCla.2.1 C2H5OH obtained as described in Example 1. At the end of the addition, the temperature is brought to 70°C and 9 mmoles of 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane are introduced. The temperature is increased to 100°C and after 2 hours the TiCl4 is removed by filtration. An additional 200 ml of - 41 - TiCl4 and 9 mmoles of 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-1,3- dimethoxypropane are added; after one hour at 120OC the content is filtered again and another 200 ml of TiCl4 are added proceeding with the treatment at 120°C for another hour; finally the content is filtered and washed at 60°C with n-heptane until all chlorine ions disappear from the filtrate. The solid catalyst component obtained in this manner contains: Ti - 3-6% by weight; 2-isobutyl-2-isopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane = 12.7% by weight. Carrying out the polymerization as described in Example 5, and using 9.7 mg of the catalyst component described above, 484 g of polymer having X.I. = 99% and melt index MFR/L. =5.1 g/10 tnin. is obtained. The polymer yield is 50,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Example 7 Example 6 is repeated, but using in this case 5.3 mg of the solid catalyst component of Example 1. 371 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 99.1% and MFR/L = 5.1 g/10 min. is obtained. The polymer yield is 70,000 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 8 Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mraoles of 2,2-diisobutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the - ACL - polypropylene having X.I. = 97.0% and melt index MFR/L =5.6 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 30,500 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 9 Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2-isopropyl-2-isobutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl. Using 10 mg of solid catalyst component, 353 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 97.2% and melt index MFR/L. = 4.6 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 35,3 00 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 10 Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2, 2-diisopropyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl. Using 10.2 mg of solid catalyst component, 403 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 98% and melt index MFR/L = 5.1 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 39,500 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 11 Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2-ethyl-2-butyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the -43 - external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl. Using 9.8 mg of solid catalyst component, 307 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 95.2% and melt index MFR/L =5.1 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 31,300 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 12 Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2,2-diphenyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl. Using 8.7 mg of solid catalyst component, 347 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 98.0% and melt index MFR/L = 3.1 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 40,000 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 13 Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2-isopropyl-2-cyclohexyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl. Using 9.1 mg of solid catalyst component, 297 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 98.0% and melt index MFR/L - 3.8 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 32,600 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 14 Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2,2-dicyclopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the -44 - external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl. Using 9.6 mg of solid catalyst component, .385 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 97.9% and melt index MFR/L = 3.2 g/10 min. is used. The yield is 40,100 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. - 45 - We Claim :- 1. A process for producing a catalyst for the polymerisation of olefins comprising reacting: a) a solid catalyst component comprising a magnesium halide in active form and, supported thereon, a titanium compound containing at least one Ti-halogen bond and an electron- donor compound; b) an Al-alkyl compound; and c) an electron-donor compound; the Al-alkyl compound (b) and electron-donor compound (c) being in such an amount that the molar ratio is from 5:1 to 100:1 in the catalyst and the Al-alkyl compound and solid catalyst component (a) being in such an amount that the Al/Ti ratios range from 1 to 1000, said process being characterised in that the electron-donor compound is a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in positio'r 2 belongs to a cyclic or polycyclic structure made up of 5, 6 or 7 carbon atoms, or of 5-n or 6-n' carbon atoms and respectively n nitrogen atoms and n' heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S and Si, where n is 1 or 2, and n' is 1, 2 or 3, said structure containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyenic structure), and optionally being condensed with other cyclic structures, or substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl radicals; cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals and halogens, or being condensed with other cyclic structures and substituted with one or more of the above mentioned substituents that can also be bonded to the condensed cyclic structures; one or more of the above mentioned alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl radicals - 46 - and the condensed cyclic structures optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes of carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both. 2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substituents in the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether c) are selected from the group consisting of linear or branched C1- C20 alkyl radicals; C3 - C20 cycloalkyl; C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 aralkyl and C7-C20 alkaryl radicals; Cl and F. 3. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether c) is selected from the compounds of the general formula: Where A, B, C and D are carbon atoms or heteroatoms selected from tne group consisting of N, O, S and Si; v, x, and y are 0 or 1 ; u and z are either 0 or 1 or 2; provided that when u = 0: -47- i) A, B and C are carbon atoms and v, x and y are equal to 1,- or ii) A is a nitrogen atom, B and C are carbon atoms, v is equal to 0 and x and y are equal to 1; or iii) A and B are nitrogen atoms, C is a carbon atom, v and x are equal to 0 and y is equal to 1; or iv) A and B are carbon atoms, C is a nitrogen atom, v and x are equal to 1 and y is equal to 0; when u = 1: 1) A,B, C and D are carbon atoms, v, x and y are equal to 1 and z is equal to 2; or 2) A and B are carbon atoms, C is a nitrogen atom, D is an oxygen atom, v and x are equal to 1, y and z are equal to 0; or 3) A, B and C are carbon atoms, D is an oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or silicon atom, v, x and y are equal to 1 and z is equal to 0 when D is an oxygen or sulfur atom, equal to 1 when D is a nitrogen atom and equal to 2 when D is a silicon atom; when u = 2: A, B and C are carbon atoms, D represents two carbon atoms bonded to each other by a single or double bond, v, x and y are equal to 1 and z is equal to 1 when the couple of carbon atoms D is bonded by a double bond and -48- equal to 2 when said couple is bonded by a single bond; radicals R and R1, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogens; C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; the R11 radicals, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals, and two or more of the R radicals can be bonded to each other to form condensed cyclic structures, saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted with R111 radicals selected from the group consisting of halogens; C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; said radicals from R to R111 optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes for carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both. The process as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cyclopolyenic 1,3 diether c) is selected from compounds of the general formula: -43- where radicals R and R1, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,- halogens; C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C30 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; the R11 radicals, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals, and two or more of the R radicals can be bonded to each other to form condensed cyclic structures, saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted with R111 radicals selected from the group consisting of halogens; C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; said radicals from R to R111 optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes for carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both. -50 - 5. The process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cyclopolyenic 1,3- diether c) is selected from the group consisting of: 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-cyclopentadiene; 1, 1-bis (methoxymethyl) -2,3,4, 5-tetramethyl cyclopentadiene; 1,1-bis (methoxymethyl) -2,3,4, 5-tetraphenylcyclopentadiene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)indene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3-dimethylindene; 1,1-bis (methoxymethyl) -4, 7-dimethylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-4-phenyl-2-methylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)indene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-trimethylsilylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-trifluoromethylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-methylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-cyclopenthylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-isopropylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-cyclohexylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-tert-butylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-tert-butyl-2-methylindene; 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)- 7-phenylindene; 1,1-bis (methoxymethyl) -2-phenylindene,- 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-tetramethylfluorene; 9,9-bis{methoxymethyl)-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexafluorofluorene; 9,9-bis{methoxymethyl)-2,3-benzofluorene; -51- 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-dibenzofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,7-diisopropylfluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-l,8-dichlorofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,7-dicyclopentylfluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl) -1, 8-difluorofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrofluorene; 9, 9-bis(methoxymethyl)-l,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydrofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-4-tert-butylfluorene; 1,1-bis ( -metoxybenzyl) indene; 1,1-bis(1'-methoxyethyl)-5,6-dichloroindene; 9,9-bis( -methoxybenzyl)fluorene; 9,9-bis(1'-methoxyethyl)fluorene; 9- (methoxymethyl) - 9 - (1'-methoxyethyl) -2, 3, 6,7-tetrafluorofluorene; 9-methoxymethyl-9-pentoxymethylfluorene; 9 -methoxymethyl - 9 - e thoxymethylfluorene ; 9-methoxymethyl-9-(1'methoxyethyl)-fluorene; 6. The process as claimed in claim 3, wherein tte cyclopolyenic 1,3-tiiether c) is selected from the group consisting of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)xanthene, and 9, 9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-tetramethylxanthene. 7. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Al-alkyl compound is an Al-trialkyl. 8. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the titanium compound -52 - supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is selected from the group consisting of halides and halogen alcoholates. 9. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electron-donor compound supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is a Lewis base containing one or more electronegative groups where the electron-donor atoms are selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S, P, As or Sn. 10. The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electron-donor compound supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is an electron-donor compound that can be extracted with Al-triethyl from the catalyst component a1) for at least 70% in moles, the surface area (B.E.T.) of the solid product of extraction being at least 2 0 m2/g. 11. The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electron-donor compound supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is a phthalic acid ester. 12, The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electron-donor compound supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is an ether containing two or more ether groups and that, under standard conditions, is complexed with anhydrous magnesium chloride for less than 60 mmoles per 100 g of chloride and with TiCl4 does not undergo substitution reactions, or it only does so for less that 50% in moles. - 53- 13. The process as claimed in claim 9. wherein the electron-donor - 54 - compound supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in position 2 belongs to a cyclic or polycyclic structure made up of 5, 6 or 7 carbon atoms, or 5-n or 6-n' carbon atoms and respectively n nitrogen atoms and n' heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S and Si, where n is 1 or 2 and n' is l, 2 or 3, said structure containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyenic structure) and optionally being condensed with othercyclic structures, or substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl radicals; cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals and halogens, or being condensed with other cyclic structures and substituted with one or more of the above mentioned substituents that can also be bonded to the condensed cyclic structures; one or more of the above mentioned alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or alkaryl radicals and the condensed cyclic structures optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes of carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both. A process for producing a catalyst for the polymerisation of olefins comprising reacting : a) a solid catalyst component comprising a magnesium halide in active form and, supported thereon, a titanium compound containing at least one Ti-halogen bond and an electron-donor compound; b) an Al-alkyl compound; and c) an electron-donor compound; 100 :1 in the catalyst and the Al-alkyl compound and solid calalyst component (a) being in such an amount that the Al/Ti ratios range from 1 to 1000, said process being characterised in that the electron-donor compound is a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in position 2 belongs to a cyclic or polycyclic structure made up of 5, 6 or 7 carbon atoms, or of 5-n or 6-n' carbon atoms and respectively n nitrogen atoms and n' heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S and si, where n is 1 or 2, and n' is 1, 2 or 3, said structure containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyenic structure), and optionally being condensed with other cyclic structures, or substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl radicals; cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals and halogens, or being condensed with other cyclic structures and substituted with one or more of the above mentioned substituents that can also be bonded to the condensed cyclic structures; one or more of the above mentioned alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl radicals and the condensed cyclic structures optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes of carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both.

Full Text

The present invention concerns a process for producing a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins.
The present application is divided from Indian Patent Application No. 186169 (316/Cal/96) dated 20th February 1996,
Indian Patent No. 173341 describes solid catalyst components comprising as an internal electron-donor, an ether containing two or more ether groups, and having specific reaction characteristics toward the anhydrous magnesium chloride and TiCl4.
The catalysts obtained from the reaction of said catalyst components with an Al-alkyl compound exhibit high activity and stereospecificity in the polymerization of olefins, and do not require the use of an external electron-donor.
It has now been found that by reacting an Al-alkyl compound with a solid catalyst component comprising magnesium dihalide in active form, a titanium compound and a 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in position 2 belongs to a specific cyclic structure containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyenic structure), a catalyst is obtained which has uncommonly high catalytic activity and a high level of stereospecificity in the polymerization of olefins.
In fact, the above mentioned 1,3-diethers with a cyclopolyenic structure (hereinafter cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers), which are not disclosed in Indian Patent No. 173341, confer to the abovementioned catalyst an activity considerably higher than the one obtained by using
- 2 -

the ethers known in the art.
The addition of an external electron-donor to the above catalyst, containing the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether as internal electron-donor, allows one to obtain very high levels of stereospecificity while maintaining high activity. Thus one obtains balances of activity and stereospecificity that cannot be reached with the ethers known in the art.
Indian Patent No. 173047 describes -
catalysts comprising the reaction product of a solid catalyst component comprising a titanium compound and an internal electron-donor supported on a magnesium dihalide in active form, an Al-alkyl compound, and, as an external electron-donor, an ether containing two or more ether groups and capable of forming complexes with anhydrous magnesium chloride, under standard conditions, in quantities lower than 60 mmoles per 100 g of magnesium chloride.
Said catalysts exhibit high activity and stereospecif icity in the polymerization of olefins.
It has now been found that the performance of the above mentioned catalysts is improved when the previously said cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers are used as the external electron-donors .
In fact, the catalysts obtained by using, as the external-electron donors, the above mentioned cyclopolyenic 1,3-
- 3 -

diethers, which are not disclosed in Indian Patent No. 173047, display, in the polymerization of
olefins, very high balances of activity and stereospecificit not obtainable with the ethers known in the art.
Accordingly the present invention provides a soli catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins, sai solid catalyst component comprising a magnesium halide i active form, and, supported thereon, a titanium compoun containing at least one Ti-halogen bond and, as the interna electron-donor compound, a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in position 2 belongs to a cyclic or polycycli structure made up of 5, 6, or 7 carbon atoms, or of 5-n or 6-n carbon atoms, and respectively n nitrogen atoms and n heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, S am Si, where n is 1 or 2 and n' is 1, 2, or 3, said structun containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyeni structure), and optionally being condensed with other cycli' structures, or substituted with one or more substituent selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alky radicals; cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals an halogens, or being condensed with other cyclic structures an substituted with one or more of the above mentione substituents that can also be bonded to the condensed cycli structures; one or more of the above mentioned alkyl
-4 -

cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or alkaryl radicals and the condensed cyclic structures optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes for carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both.
According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins comprising the reaction product of:
a) a catalyst component as defined above;
b) an Al-alkyl compound, and optionally
c) an electron-donor compound.
According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins comprising the reaction product of an Al-alkyl compound and a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether with a solid catalyst component a1) comprising a magnesium halide in active form, and, supported thereon, a titanium compound containing at least one Ti-halogen bond and an electron-donor compound.
The catalyst component a) is a preferred example of ctalyst component a1) .
Preferably in the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers employed in preparing the catalyst component (a) the carbon atoms in positions 1 and 3 are seconday.
The above substituents in the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers are preferably selected from the group consisting of C1-C20
- 5 -

linear or branched alkyl radicals,- C3-C20 cycloalkyl; C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 aralkyl and C7-C20 alkaryl radicals; Cl and F.
The heteroatoms optionally present in the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals and/or in the condensed cyclic structures are preferably selected from the group consisting of N; 0; S; P; Si and halogens, in particular Cl and F.
Particularly preferred among the above cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers are the compounds of the general formula:

where A, B, C and D are carbon atoms or heteroatoms selected
from the group consisting of N, 0, S and Si; v, x and y are
0 or 1; u and z are 0 or 1 or 2;
provided that when u = 0:
i) A, B and C are carbon atoms and v, x and y are equal to
1,- or ii) A is a nitrogen atom, B and C are carbon atoms, v is
- 6 -

equal to 0, and x and y are equal to 1; or iii) A and B are nitrogen atoms, c is a carbon atom, v and x
are equal to 0, and y is equal to 1; or iv) A and B are carbon atoms, C is a nitrogen atom, v and x
are equal to 1, and y is equal to 0; when u = 1:
1) A, B, C and D are carbon atoms, v, x and y are equal to
1, and z is equal to 2; or
2) A and B are carbon atoms, C is a nitrogen atom, D is an
oxygen atom, v and x are equal to 1, y and z are equal to
0; or 3) A, B and £ are carbon atoms, D is an oxygen, nitrogen,
sulfur, or silicon atom, v, x and y are equal to 1, and z is equal to 0 when D is an oxygen or sulfur atom, equal to 1 when D is a nitrogen atom, and equal to 2 when D is a silicon atom;
when 11=2
A, B and C are carbon atoms, D represents two carbon atoms bonded to each other by a single or double bond, v, x and y are equal to 1, and z is equal to 1 when the couple of carbon atoms D is bonded by a double bond, and equal to 2 when said couple is bonded by a single bond; radicals R and R1, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogens, preferably Cl and F;
-7-

C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; the R11 radicals, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals, and two or more of the R radicals can be bonded to each other to form condensed cyclic structures, saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted with RIII radicals selected from the group consisting of halogens, preferably Cl and F; C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C30 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; said radicals from R to RIII optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes for carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both.
Preferably, in the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers employed in preparing the catalyst component a) all the R1 radicals in the compounds of formula (I) are hydrogen, and the two R11 radicals
are methyl.
The heteroatoms optionally present in the radicals from
R to RIII are preferably selected from the group consisting of N; 0; S; P; Si and halogens, in particular Cl and F.
A more restricted class of the compounds of formula (I) is constituted by the compounds of the general formula:
-8 -

where the radicals from R to R11 have the meaning defined above for formula (I), including the preferred cases.
In particular, two or more of the R radicals can be bonded to each other to form one or more condensed cyclic structures, preferably benzenic, optionally substituted by R111 radicals.
Specific examples of compounds comprised in formula (II)
are:
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl}-cyclopentadiene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadiene; 1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylcyclopentadiene; 1,1-bis (methoxymethyl) -2, 3 ,4, 5-tetrafluorocyclopentadiene ¦, 1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-3,4-dicyclopentylcyclopentadiene;
1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)indene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3-dimethy1indene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-4,5,6,7 -tetrahydroindene;
-9-

1,1 -bis {methoxymethyl) -2, 3 , 6, 7- tetraf luoroindene ;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-4,7-dimethylindene;
l,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-3,6-dimethylindene;
1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-4-phenylindene;
1,1-bis (methoxymethyl) -4-phenyl-2-tnethylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-4-cyclohexylindene;
l,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)indene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-trimethylsilylindene;
1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-trifluoromethylindene;
1, l-bis(methoxymethyl)-4,7-dimethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-methylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-cyclopenthylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-isopropylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-cyclohexylindene;
1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-tert-butylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-tert-butyl-2-methylindene;
l,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-phenylindene;
1,l-bis(methoxymethyl)-2-phenylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-lH-benz[e]indene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-lH-2-methylbenzle)indene;
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene;
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7 7-tetramethylf luorene ;
9, 9-bis (methoxymethyl)-2, 3, 4,5,6, 7-hexafluoroflurene;
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3-benzofluorene;

9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-dibenzofluorene;
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,7 -diisopropylfluorene;
9,9-bis{methoxymethyl)-1,8-dichlorofluorene;
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,7-dicyclopentylfluorene,
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-1,8-difluorofluorene;
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrofluorene;
9, 9-bis (methoxymethyl) -1,2,3,4,5,6,7, 8-octahydrofluorene;
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-4 -tert-butylfluorene.
Other examples of cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers comprised in the definitions above are: 1,1-bis (1' -butoxyethyl) -cyclopentadiene; 1,1-bis(1'-isopropoxy-n.propyl)cyclopentadiene; 1-methoxymethyl-l- ( 1 ' -methoxyethyl) -2, 3 , 4, 5-tetramethylcyclopentadiene; 1,1-bis(a-metoxybenzyl)indene; 1,1-bis(phenoxymethyl)indene; 1,l-bis(1'-methoxyethyl)-5,6-dichloroindene; 1,1-bis(phenoxymethyl)-3,6-dicyclohexy1indene; 1-methoxymethyl-l-(1'-methoxyethyl)-7-tert-butylindene; 1,1-bis[2-(2'methoxypropyl)]-2-methylindene; 3,3-bis(methoxymethyl)-3H-2-methylbenz[e]indene; 9,9-bis(a-methoxybenzyl)fluorene;
9,9-bis(1'-isopropoxy-n.butyl)-4,5 -diphenylfluorene; 9, 9-bis (1' -methoxyethyl) fluorene;
-11-

9- ( methoxymethyl) -9-(l'-methoxyethyl)-2,3,6,7-
tetrafluorofluorene;
9-methoxymethyl-9-pentoxymethylfluorene;
9 -methoxymethyl - 9 - ethoxyme thy1fluorene ;
9-methoxymethyl-9-(l'methoxyethyl)-fluorene;
9-methoxymethyl-9-[2-(2-methoxypropyl) ] -fluorene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,5-cyclohexadiene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)benzonaphthene;
7, 7-bis (methoxymethyl) 2, 5-norbornadiene ;
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-1,4-methanedihydronaphthalene;
4,4-bis(methoxymethyl)-4H-cyclopenta[d,e,fJphenanthrene;
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)9,10-dihydroanthracene;
1, 7-bis(methoxymethyl)-7H-benz[d,e]anthracene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)1,2-dihydronaphthalene;
4,4-bis(methoxymethyl)-l-phenyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene;
4,4-bis(methoxymethyl)-1-phenyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalene;
5,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-1,3,6-cycloheptatriene;
5,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]
cycloheptene;
5,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene;
9, 9-bis(methoxymethyl)xanthene;
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-tetramethylxanthene;
9,9-bis(l'methoxyisobutyl)thioxanthene;
4,4-bis(methoxymethyl-1,4-pyran;
- 12-

metnoxymethyl)-a,4-chromene; 4,4-bis(methoxymethyl)-1, 2, 4-oxazine;
1,1-bis (methoxymetyyl) benzo -2,3,1-oxazine; 5,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-1,5-pyrindine;
5,5-bis(methoxymethyl)-6,7-dimethyl-1,5-pyrindine;
2,2=bis (methoxymethyl)3,4,5-trifluoroisopyrrole; 4,4-bis (1'methoxyethyl)benzo-N-phenyl-1,4-dihydropyridine.
The cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers according to the present invention can be prepared by first synthesizing the cyclopolyendimethylol by way of reaction of the desired cyclopolyene with paraformaldehyde in the presence of sodium alcoholate (as described by B. WESSLEN, ACTA CHEM.SCAND.21 (1967)718-20), and then transforming the dimethylol derivative into the corresponding diether by way of alkylation, cycloalkylation, or arylation, according to known techniques, such as by reaction of the dimethylol derivative with an alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl halide in the presence of a strong base, such as NaH, in proper solvent, such as tetrahydrofurane.
The electron-donor compound present in the solid catalyst component a1) can be a Lewis base containing one or more electronegative groups where the electron-donor atoms are selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S, P, As or Sn. Examples of the above mentioned electron-donor compounds are
- 13 -

widely described in the art. Preferred are the electron-donor compounds that can be extracted with Al-triethyl from the catalyst component a1) for at least 70% in moles, the surface area (B.E.T.) of the solid product of extraction being at least 20 m2/g, and generally ranging from 100 to 300 m2/g.
Examples of the above mentioned electron-donor compounds are described in Indian Patent No.161721 and comprise ethers, ketones. lactones, compounds containing N, P, and/or S atoms, and specific types of esters.
In addition to the esters of Indian Patent No.161721, the esters described in Indian Patent No.154219 can be used.
Particularly suited are the phthalic acid esters such as diisobutyl, dioctyl and diphenyl phthalate, benzyl-butyl phthalate; the malonic acid esters such as diisobutyl and diethyl malonate; the alkyl and aryl pivalates; the alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl maleates; the alkyl and aryl carbonates such as diisobutyl carbonate, ethyl-phenyl carbonate and diphenyl carbonate; the succinic acid esters such as mono and diethyl succinate. Preferred are the phthalic acid esters.
Also useful in the catalyst component a1) are the electron-donor compounds described In Indian Patent No.173341.
Said compounds are ethers that contain two or more ether groups, and that, under standard conditions, are capable of
- 14 -

forming complexes with anhydrous magnesium chloride for less that 60 mmoles per 100 g of chloride and with TiCl, they do not undergo substitution reactions, or they only do so for less than 5 0% in moles.
The tests that allow the verification of the above reactivity criteria are reported below. Complexing test of the ethers with MgCl2
In a 100 ml glass flask with fixed blades mechanical stirrer are introduced under nitrogen atmosphere in order:
70 ml of anhydrous n-heptane
12 mmoles of anhydrous MgCl2 activated as described below
2 mmoles of ether.
The content is allowed to react at 60°C for 4 hours (stirring speed at 400 rpm) . It is then filtered and washed at ambient temperature with 100 ml of n-heptane after which it
in dried with a mechanical pump.
The solid is characterized, after having been treated with 100 ml of ethanol, by way of a gaschromatographic quantitative analysis for the analysis of the quantity of ether fixed. Test of the reaction with TiCl4
In a 25 ml test-tube with a magnetic stirrer and under nitrogen atmosphere are introduced:
10 ml of anhydrous n-heptane,
5 mmoles of TiCl4 ,
-15-

1 mmole of donor
The content is allowed to react at 70°C for 30 minutes, after which it is cooled to 25°C and decomposed with 90 ml of ethanol.
The solutions obtained are analyzed by way of gaschromatography using the internal standard method, with an HRGC 5300 Mega Series Carlo Erba gaschromatograph with a 25 meters chrompack CP-SIL 5 CB capillary column.
The magnesium chloride used in the complexing test with the ethers is prepared as follows.
In a 1 liter vibrating mill jar (Vibratom from Siebtechnik) containing 1.8 Kg of steel spheres 16 mm in diameter, are introduced under nitrogen atmosphere 5 0 g of anhydrous MgCl2 and 6.8 ml of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE).
The content is milled at room temperature for 96 hours, after which the solid recovered is kept under vacuum in the mechanical pump for 16 hours at 50°C. Characterization of the solid:
half-peak breadth of the reflection DUO = 1.15 cm. Presence of a halo with maximum intensity at 26 = 32.1° Surface area (B.E.T.) = 125 m2/g residual DCE = 2.5% by weight. Examples of ethers having the features indicated above are
the 1,3-diethers of formula
-16-

where R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and are linear or branched c1-Cl8 alkyl, C3-C18 cycloalkyl, C8-C18 aryl, C7-C18 aralkyl or alkaryl radicals, and R2 or R3 can also be a hydrogen atom.
Preferably, R, is a 1-6 carbon alkyl radical, and more particularly a methyl. Moreover, when R2 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, or isopropyl, R3 can be ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylhexyl, cyclopenthyl, cyclohexyl, methylcyclohexyl, phenyl or benzyl; when R2 is hydrogen, R3 can be ethyl, butyl, sec.butyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylhexyl, cyclohexyl ethyl, diphenyltnethyl, p-chlorophenyl, 1-naphthyl, X-decahydronaphthyl; R2 and R3 can also be the same and can be ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, neopentyl, phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl.
Specific examples of ethers that can be advantageously used include: 2-(2-ethylhexyl)1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-butyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-sec-butyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-cyclohexyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-phenyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-tert-butyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-cumy1-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-{2-phenylethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2 -(2 -cyclohexylethyl)-1,3 -
-17 -

dimethoxypropane, 2- (p-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-
(diphenylmethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2(1-naphthyl)-1,3-
dimethoxypropane, 2(p-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2(1-
decahydronaphthyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2 (p-tert-butylphenyl)-
1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dicyclohexyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane,
2,2-diethyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dipropyl-1,3-
dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dibutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-
diethyl-1,3-diethoxypropane, 2,2-dicyclopentyl-l,3-
dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dipropyl-l,3-diethoxypropane, 2,2-
dibutyl-1,3-diethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-ethyl-l,3 -
dimethoxypropane, 2 -methyl- 2-propyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2 -
methyl-2-benzyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-phenyl-l,3-
dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-cyclohexyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane,
2-methyl-2-methylcyclohexyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-bis(p-
chlorophenyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2, 2-bis(2-phenylethyl)-1,3-
dimethoxypropane , 2., 2-bis (2-cyclohexylethyl) -1,3-
dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-isobutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-
methyl-2-(2-ethylhexyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-bis (2-
ethylhexyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane,2 , 2-bis(p-methylphenyl)-1,3-
dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl- 2 -isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane,
2,2-diisobutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-diphenyl-1,3-
dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dibenzyl-1, 3-dimethoxypropane, 2-
isopropyl-2-cyclopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-
bis(cyclohexylmethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-diisobutyl-l,3-
- 18 -

diethoxypropane, 2,2-diisobutyl-l,3-dibuthoxypropane, 2-isobutyl-2-isopropyl-l, 3~dimetoxypropane, 2,2-di-sec-butyl-l,3-dimetoxypropane, 2,2-di-tert-butyl-l,3-dimetoxypropane, 2,2-dineopentyl-1,3-dimetoxypropane, 2 -isopropy1-2 -isopentyl-1,3-dimetoxypropane, 2-phenyl-2-benzyl-1,3-dimetoxypropane, 2 -cyclohexyl-2 -cyclohexylmethyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane.
The preparation of the solid catalyst components a) and a1) can be carried out using various methods.
For example, the magnesium halide (used anhydrous, containing less than 1% of water), the titanium compound, and the electron-donor compound are milled together under conditions that cause the activation of the magnesium halide,-the milled product is then caused to react one or more times with TiCl4 in excess, optionally in the presence of an electron-donor, at a temperature ranging from 80 to 135°C, and then repeatedly washed with a hydrocarbon (such as hexane, for example) until no chlorine ions can be detected in the wash liquid.
According to another method the anhydrous magnesium halide is preactivated according to known methods and then reacted with an excess of TiCl4 containing the electron-donor compound and optionally an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent (for example: hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, toluene, ethylbenzene, chlorobenzene,
- 19 -

dichloroethane). In this case also the operation takes place at a temperature between 80° and 135°C. The reaction with TiCl4, in the presence or absence of an electron-donor, is optionally repeated and the solid is then washed with hexane to eliminate the nonreacted TiCl4.
According to another method, a MgCl2.nROH adduct {particularly in the form of spheroidal particles) where n is generally from 1 to 3, and ROH is an alcohol, such as ethanol, butanol, isobutanol for example, is caused to react with an excess of TiCl4 containing the electron-donor compound and optionally one of the above mentioned hydrocarbon solvents. The reaction temperature initially is from 0 to 25°C, and is then increased to 80-13 5°C. After reaction, the solid is reacted once more with TiCl4, in the presence or absence of the electron-donor, then separated and washed with a hydrocarbon until no chlorine ions can be detected in the wash liquid.
According to yet another method, magnesium alcoholates and chloroalcoholates (the chloroalcoholates can be prepared
particularly as described in Indian Patent No.149940 are caused to
react with TiCl4 in excess containing the electron-donor compound, operating under the reaction conditions already described.
According to another method, complexes of magnesium halides with titanium alcoholates {the MgCl2. 2Ti (OC4H9) 4 complex
-20 -

is a typical example) are caused to react, in a hydrocarbon solution, with TiCl4 in excess containing the electron-donor compound; the separated solid product is reacted again with an excess of TiCl4, in the presence or absence of electron-donor, and then separated and washed with hexane. The reaction with TiCl4 is carried out at a temperature ranging from 80° to 130°C.
According to a variance,, the MgCl2 and titanium alcoholate complex is caused to react in a hydrocarbon solution with polyhydrosiloxane; the separated solid product is reacted at 50°C with silicon tetrachloride containing the electron-donor compound; the solid is then reacted with TiCl4 in excess, in the presence or absence of electron-donor, operating at 80°-130°C.
Independently from the specific preparation method, after the last reaction with TiCl4 in the presence of the electron-donor, it is preferable to separate the solid obtained (by way of filtration, for example) , and cause it to react with an excess of TiCl4 at temperatures ranging from 80 to 135°C, before washing it with the hydrocarbon solvent.
Finally, it is possible to cause to react TiCl4 in excess and containing the electron-donor with porous resins such as partially cross-linked styrene-divinylbenzene in spherical particle form, or porous inorganic oxides such as silica and alumina, impregnated with solutions of magnesium compounds or
- 21 -

complexes soluble in organic solvents.
The porous resins which can be used are described in the abandoned Indian Patent Application No. 416/Cal/89.
The reaction with TiCl4 is carried out at 80-100°C. After separating the excess TiCl4, the reaction is repeated and the solid is then washed with a hydrocarbon.
The MgCl3/electron-donor molar ratio used in the reactions indicated above generally ranges from 4:1 to 12:1.
The electron-donor compound is fixed on the magnesium halide in a quantity generally ranging from 1 to 20% molar.
In particular, the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether is fixed on the magnesium halide in a quantity generally ranging from 5 to 20% molar.
In the solid catalyst components a) and a1) the Mg/Ti ratio is generally from 30:1 to 4:1; in the components supported on resins or on inorganic oxides the ratio can be different and usually ranges from 20:1 to 2:1.
The titanium compounds that can be used for the preparation of catalyst components a) and a1) are the halides and halogen alcoholates. The titanium tetrachloride is the preferred compound. Satisfactory results can also be obtained with the trihalides, particularly TiCl3 HR, TiCl3 ARA, and with the halogen alcoholates such as TiCl3 OR, where R is a phenyl radical, for example.
- 22. -

The above reactions cause the formation of magnesium halide in active form. In addition to these reactions, other reactions are known in the literature that bring to the formation of magnesium halide in active form starting from magnesium compounds different from the halides.
The active form of the magnesium halides present in the catalyst components of the invention is recognizable by the fact that in the X-rays spectrum of the catalyst component the major intensity reflection which appears in the spectrum of the nonactivated magnesium halides (having surface area smaller than 3 m2/g) is no longer present, but in its place there is a halo with the position of the maximum intensity shifted with respect to the position of the major intensity reflection, or by the fact that the major intensity reflection presents a half-peak breadth at least 30% greater that the one of the corresponding reflection of the nonactivated Mg halide. The most active forms are those in which the halo appears in the X-ray spectrum of the solid catalyst component;
Among the magnesium halides, the chloride is the preferred compound. In the case of the most active forms of the magnesium chloride, the halo appears in place of the reflection which in the spectrum of the nonactivated magnesium chloride is situated at the interplanar distance of 2.56 A.
The catalyst components a) and a1) form, by reaction with
- 23 -

the Al-alkyl compounds, catalysts which can be used in the polymerization of CH2 = CHR olefins, where R is hydrogen or a 1-6 carbon alkyl radical, or an aryl radical, or mixtures of said olefins or of said olefins and diolefins.
However the present invention requires the use of an external electron-donor with the catalyst component a1}, at least when the latter is different from the catalyst component a) .
The Al-alkyl compounds comprise Al-trialkyls such as Al-triethyl, Al-triisobutyl, Al-tri-n-butyl, Al-trioctyl. One can also use linear or cyclic Al-alkyl compounds containing one or more Al atoms bonded to one another with 0, N, or S atoms.
Examples of said compounds are:

where n is a number from 1 to 20; A1R2OR' compounds where R' is a C6-C20 aryl radical substituted at position 2 and/or 6, and
-24-

R is a C1-C6 alkyl radical, and A1R2H compounds where R is a C1-C6 alkyl radical.
The Al-Alkyl compound is used in Al/Ti ratios generally ranging from 1 to 1000.
The trialkyl compounds can also be used in blends with Al-alkyl halides such as AlEt2Cl and AlEt3/2Cl3/2.
The polymerization of the olef ins is carried out according to known methods operating in liquid phase constituted by one or more monomers, or by a solution of one or more monomers in an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, or in gas phase, or also by combining polymerization stages in liquid phase and in gas phase.
The (co)polymerization temperature is usually from 0° to 150°C; particularly from 60° to 100°C. The operation occurs at atmospheric pressure or higher.
The catalysts can be precontacted with small quantities of olefins (prepolymerization) . The prepolymerization improves the performance of the catalysts as well as the morphology of
the polymers.
The prepolymerization is carried out maintaining the catalysts in suspension in a hydrocarbon solvent {hexane or heptane, for example), adding an olefin, and operating at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 60°C producing a quantity of polymer generally from 0.5 to 3 times the weight of the catalyst. It can also be carried out in liquid monomer,
- 25 -

under the temperature conditions indicated above, and producing quantities of polymer which can reach 1000 g per g of catalytic component.
When the catalyst component a) is to be employed in the stereoregular polymerization of olefins, propylene in particular, an external electron-donor can be added to the Al-alkyl, said external electron-donor compound being preferably selected from the group consisting of silicon compounds containing at least one Si-OR bond (R = hydrocarbon radical); 2 , 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine; 2,6-diisopropylpiperidine; carboxylic acid esters, such as ethylparatoluate and ethylbenzoate, and di- and polyethers.
Preferably the silicon compounds have the formula R4nSi (OR5)4-n where n is 1 or 2, the R4 radical or radicals, same or different, are C1-C12 alkyl, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, C6-C12 aryl, C7-C12 alkaryl or aralkyl radicals,

radicals, where R6 and R7 are the same or different and have the same meaning defined above for R4 or are bonded to each other to form a cyclic structure; the Rs radicals are the same or different and are C1-C6 alkyl radicals.
Optionally the R4 to R7 radicals can contain one or more halogens, in particular Cl and F, as substitutes for hydrogen
- 26 -

atoms.
Examples of said compounds are: (tert-butyl)a Si(OCH3)2; (cyclohexyl)a Si(OCH3)2; (isopropyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; {sec-butyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; (cyclohexyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3)2; (cyclopentyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; (isopropyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3) 2; (n-butyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; (isobutyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; (sec-butyl)2 Si(OCH3)2; (tert-butyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-amyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-hexyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3)2; (2-norbornyl) (methyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-butyl) (cyclopentyl) Si(OCH3) 2; (2-norbornyl) (cyclopentyl) Si(OCH3) 2 ; (tert-butyl) Si(OCH3)3; (tert-butyl) Si(OC2H5)3; (2-norbornyl) Si(OCH3)3; (2-norbornyl) Si(OC2Hs)3; (tert-hexyl) Si(OCH3)3; (tert-hexyl) Si(OC2H5)3; (tert-butyl) (2-methylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2;
-27-

(tert-butyl) (3-methylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-butyl) (4-methylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-hexyl) (piperidyl) Si{OCH3)2; {tert-hexyl) (pyrrolidinyl) Si(OCH3)2; (methyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3)2; (isopropyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3) 2; (n-butyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3)2; (isobutyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3) 2; (sec-butyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3)2; (tert-butyl) (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) Si(OCH3) 2; (3r3,3-trifluoropropyl) (piperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) (2-methylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) (2-ethylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) (3-methylpiperidyl) Si(OCH3)2; (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) (4-methylpiperidyl) Si (OCH3) 2; (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)2 Si(OCH3)2.
- 28 -
Examples of preferred diethers that can be used external electron-donors with the catalyst component a) are compounds of the general formula

where RIV, Rv, RVI, RvII, RVIII and RIX are the same or different, and are hydrogen; linear or branched C1-C18 alkyl radicals, C3-C18 cycloalkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C7-C18 aralkyl or alkaryl radicals, provided that only one of RIV and Rv can be hydrogen; Rx and RXI have the same meaning as RIV and Rv except for hydrogen, provided that when the radicals from Rv to RIX are hydrogen and Rx and Rxl are methyl, RIV is not methyl; moreover, two or more of the RVI to RXI radicals can be bonded to form a cyclic structure.
Preferably in the above formula Rx and RXI are methyl and RIV and Rv are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of isopropyl; isobutyl; tert-butyl; cyclohexyl; isopentyl; cyclohexylethyl; pentyl; cyclopentyl; heptyl; 1,5-dimethylhexyl; 3,7-dimethyloctyl; phenyl; cyclohexylmethyl; and propyl.
Specific examples of the above mentioned diethers are: 2,2-diisobutyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane; 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane;2,2-diisopropyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane;2-isopropyl-2-cyclohexylmethyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane; 2,2-diphenyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane.
Additional examples of diethers having the above mentioned formula are listed in Indian Patent No. 173047.
Particularly preferred for use as external electron-donors with the catalyst component a) are the cyclopolyenic 1,3-
- 29 -

diethers.
The molar ratio of the Al-alkyl compound to the external electron-donor generally is from 5:1 to 100:1, and preferably from 10:1 to 30:1; said ratio can be broader, for example from 0.5:1 to 100:1, during the prepolymerization phase.
The catalysts find particular application in the polymerization of CH2=CHR olefins where R is a 1-6 carbon alkyl or aryl radical. In particular, said catalysts are adequate for the polymerization of propylene or its copolymerization with ethylene or other -olefins.
Carrying out the polymerization in liquid monomer operating with Al/Ti ratios lower than 50, it is possible to obtain, thanks to the high productivity of the catalysts of the present invention, hyperpure homopolymers and copolymers of propylene useful in the electronic field (capacitor grade).
The catalysts of the present invention are also adequate for the production of polyethylenes and copolymers of ethylene with -olefins, such as 1-butene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene.
The following examples are given in order to illustrate and not limit the invention.
Unless otherwise indicated, the percentages in the examples are expressed by weight.
The melt flow rate (MFR) for polypropylene is determined according to ASTM D1238, condition L.
The intrinsic viscosity [N] is determined in
- 30 -

tetrahydronaphthalene at 135°C.
In order to determine the fraction insoluble in xylene at 25°C (X.I. %}, 2.5 g of polymer are dissolved under agitation in 250 ml of xylene at 135°C, and after 20 minutes it is allowed to cool to 25°C. After 30 minutes the precipitated polymer is filtered and dried at reduced pressure at 80°C until constant weight is reached. Synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene
In a 500 ml flask, in anhydrous atmosphere, are introduced in order: 100 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) distilled on CaH, 8 g of paraformaldehyde (rendered anhydrous at ambient temperature and at a pressure of 2 torr for 8 hours), and 1.4 g of sodium ethylate dissolved in 6 ml of ethanol.
After having cooled the suspension with an ice bath (the melt temperature of the DMSO/EtOH mixture is 13°C) , while maintaining the suspension under agitation, 100 ml of a solution of 16 g of fluorene in DMSO are added, in a period of thirty seconds.
After 3 minutes from the beginning of the addition of the solution of fluorene in DMSO, the reaction is stopped with 1.5 ml of HC1 at 37%, and then it is diluted with 400 ml of water.
The mixture is saturated with NaCl, and the 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is then rendered anhydrous with anhydrous Na2SO4 and the solvent is distilled off. After crystallization
- 31 -

by way of toluene, 15.2 g of product (yield: 70%) is obtained.
The 1H-NMR spectrum in CDC13, at 2 00 MHz and using tetramethylsilane (TMS) as internal standard, shows the following:
7.77 ppm, doublet, 2H aromatics 7.62 ppm, doublet, 2H aromatics 7.41 ppm, triplet, 2H aromatics 7.32 ppm triplet, 2H aromatics 3.9 9 ppm doublet, 4H CH2 0.25 ppm, triplet, 2H OH. Synthesis of 9,9-bis(methoxymethvl)fluorene
In a 100 ml flask are introduced, in nitrogen atmosphere, in order: 30 ml of tetrahydrofuran (THF) , 11.3 g of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene, and 31.1 ml of CH3I.
While maintaining under agitation and operating at ambient temperature, 4 g of NaH at 60% by weight in mineral oil is added, in a period of 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the content is then allowed to react for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
By way of distillation the nonreacted CH3I is recovered, and the remaining content is diluted with 100 ml of water; the resulting floating solid is filtered and dried under vacuum at 40°C. By way of ethanol crystallization, 11.3 g of product (yield: 90%) is obtained.
The 1H-NMR spectrum in CDC13, at 200 MHz and using TMS as internal standard, shows the following: 7.75 ppm, doublet, 2H aromatics
- 32- -

7.65 ppm, doublet, 2H aromatics 7.39 ppm, triplet, 2H aromatics 7.29 ppm triplet, 2H aromatics 3.64 ppm singlet, 4H CH2 3.35 ppm, singlet, 6H CH3. Example 1
In a 500 ml cylindric glass reactor equipped with a filtering barrier are introduced at 0°C 225 ml of TiCl4, and, while under agitation in a period of 15 minutes, 10.1 g (54 mmoles) of microspheroidal MgCl2.2.1 C2H5OH obtained as described below.
At the end of the addition, the temperature is brought to 70°C, and 9 mmoles of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene are introduced. The temperature is increased to 100°C and, after 2 hours, the TiCl4 is removed by filtration. 200 ml of TiCl4 and 9 mmoles of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene are added; after 1 hour at 120°C the content is filtered again and another 200 ml of TiCl4 are added, continuing the treatment at 120°C for one more hour; finally, the content is filtered and washed at 60°C with n-heptane until all chlorine ions disappear from the filtrate. The catalyst component obtained in this manner contains: Ti = 3.5% by weight; 9,9-bis{methoxymethyl)fluorene = 16.2% by weight.
The microspheroidal MgCl2.2.1 C2H5,OH is prepared as follows.
- 33 -

48 g of anhydrous MgCl2, 77 g of anhydrous C2H5OH, and 830 ml of kerosene are fed, in inert gas and at ambient temperature, in a 2 liter autoclave equipped with a turbine agitator and drawing pipe. The content is heated to 120°C while stirring thus forming the adduct between MgCl2 and the alcohol that melts and remains mixed with the dispersing agent. The nitrogen pressure inside the autoclave is maintained at 15 atm. The drawing pipe of the autoclave is heated externally to 120°C with a heating jacket, has an inside diameter of l mm, and is 3 meters long from one end of the heating jacket to the other.
Then the mixture is caused to flow through the pipe at a
velocity of 7m/sec ca.
At the exit of the pipe the dispersion is gathered in a 5 1 flask, under agitation, containing 2.5 1 of kerosene, and being externally cooled by way of a jacket maintained at an initial temperature of -40°C.
The final temperature of the dispersion is 0°C. The spherical solid product that constituted the dispersed phase of the emulsion is separated by way of settling and filtration, and then washed with heptane and dried. All these operations are carried out in an inert gas
atmosphere.
130 g of MgCl2.3 C2H5OH in the form of spherical solid particles with a maximum diameter less than or equal to 50 micron, are obtained.
- 34.-

The alcohol is removed from the product thus obtained at temperatures that gradually increase from 5 0°C to 100°C in nitrogen current until the alcohol content is reduced to 2.1 moles per mole of MgCl2.
In a 4 liter autoclave, previously purged with gaseous propylene at 70°C for 1 hour, are introduced at ambient temperature and in propylene current 70 ml of anhydrous n-hexane containing 7 mmoles of aluminum triethyl and 4 mg of the solid catalyst component prepared as described above. The autoclave is closed, 1.7 Nl of hydrogen and 1.2 kg of liquid propylene are introduced; the agitator is put in motion and the temperature is increased to 70°C in a period of 5 minutes. After 2 hours at 70°C, the agitation is interrupted, the nonpolymerized monomer is removed, and the content is cooled to ambient temperature.
380 g of polypropylene is discharged from the autoclave, said polypropylene having a fraction insoluble in xylene at 25°C (X.I.) = 97.7%, and a melt index MFR/L =4.5 g/10 min. The polymer yield is 95,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Example 2
The procedure of Example 1 is used, except that the hexane suspension introduced in the polymerization autoclave is made up as follows: 70 ml of anhydrous n-hexane, 7 mmoles of aluminum triethyl, 5.3 mg of a solid catalyst component
- 35 -

prepared as described in Example 1, and 0.35 mmoles of dicyclopentyl- dimethoxysilane. 403 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 99% and melt index MFR/L = 4.2 g/10 min. is obtained. The polymer yield is 76,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Comparative example 1
The procedure of Example 1 is used, but in this case in order to prepare the solid catalyst component, two aliquots equal to 9 mmoles each of 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane are used instead of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene. The solid catalyst component thus obtained contains: Ti = 3.6% by weight; 2-isopropyl-2~ isopentyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane = 12.7% by weight.
The polymerization is then conducted as described in Example 1, using 5.7 mg of the above mentioned solid catalyst component. 400 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 98.0% and melt index MFR/L = 5.1 g/10 min. is obtained. The polymer yield is 70,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Comparative example 2
The procedure of Example 2 is used, but in this case the hexane suspension introduced in the polymerization autoclave is made up as follows: 70 ml of anhydrous n-hexane, 7 mmoles of aluminum triethyl, 7.0 mg of solid catalyst component prepared as described in Comparative Example 1, and 0.35 mmoles
- 36 -

of dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane. 350 g of polypropylene having X.I.- = 98.9% and melt index MFR/L = 5.5 g/10 min. is obtained.
The polymer yield is 50,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Example 3
In the autoclave described in Example 1, previously purged with gaseous propylene at 70°C for l hour, are introduced at ambient temperature in order: 4.1 g of ethylene, 1.2 1 of liquid propylene and 0.34 1 of hydrogen. The agitator is put in motion, the temperature is increased to 70°C in a period of 5 minutes, and by way of a steel syringe pressurized with nitrogen, a suspension composed of 10 ml of anhydrous n-hexane, 4 mmoles of aluminum triethyl, and 4 mg of a solid catalyst component prepared as described in Example l is introduced.
The stirring is maintained for 1.5 hours at 70°C and 32.7, bar, while feeding a propylene/ethylene mixture containing 5.9% moles of ethylene. At the end, the stirring is interrupted, the nonpolymerized monomers are removed, and the content is cooled to ambient temperature. 600 g of copolymer having an ethylene content of 4% by weight, X.I. = 91.6%, and an intrinsic viscosity [ ] =1.59 dl/g is obtained. The copolymer yield is 150,000 g of propylene-ethylene copolymer/g of solid catalyst component. Comparative example 3
Example 3 is repeated, but. using in this case 4.1 mg of
- 37 -

the solid catalyst component prepared according to comparative Example 1 (containing 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane instead of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene). One obtains 420 g of copolymer having an ethylene content of 3.9% by weight, X.I. = 90.7%, and intrinsic viscosity [ ] = 1.55 dl/g is obtained. The copolymer yield is 102,000 g of propylene-ethylene copolymer/ g of solid catalyst component. Example 4
Example 2 is repeated using 5.2 mg of the solid catalyst component of Example 1, but in this case the hexane suspension of the catalyst contains 0.35 mmoles of 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane instead of 0.35 mmoles of dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane. 314 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 99.0% is obtained. The polymer yield is 60,000 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 4
Example 1 is repeated, but in this case to prepare the solid catalyst component, two aliquots equal to 9 mmoles each of 2, 2-diisobutyl-l, 3-dimethoxypropane are used instead of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene. The product obtained comprises: Ti = 2.8% by weight; 2,2-diisobutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane = 14.7% by weight. Using 6.1 mg of solid catalyst component, 260 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 96.9% and melt index MFR/L = 4.9 g/10 min. is obtained. The polymer yield is 42,600 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component.
- 38-

Comparative example 5
Example 1 is repeated, but in this case the solid catalyst component is prepared by using two aliquots equal to 9 mmoles each of 2, 2-diisopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane instead of 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl) fluorene. The product contains-. Ti = 2.6% by weight; 2,2-diisopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane = 17.6% by weight. By using 7.3 mg of solid catalyst component, 332 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 95.21 and a melt index MFR/L =5.2 g 10 min. is obtained. The polymer yield is 45,400 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst
component. Comparative example 6
Example l is repeated, but in this case the solid catalyst component is prepared by using two aliquots equal to 9 mmoles each of 2-isopropyl-2-cyclohexyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane instead of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene. The product obtained contains: Ti = 3.2% by weight; 2-isopropyl-2-cyclohexyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane = 13.2% by weight. By using 6.5 mg of solid catalyst component, 261 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 97.2% and melt index MFR/L = 5.9 g 10/min. is obtained.
The yield is 40,200 g of polypropylene/g catalyst
component.
Example 5
In a 500 ml cylindrical glass reactor equipped with a filtering barrier are introduced at 0°C 225 ml of TiCl4 and,
-39 -

while under agitation in a period of 15 minutes, 10.1 g (54 mmoles) of microspheroidal MgCl2.2.l C2H5OH obtained as described in Example 1.
At the end of the addition, the temperature is brought to 40°C and 9 mmoles of diisobutyl phthalate are introduced.
The temperature is increased to 100°C in the course of 1 hour, and the stirring continues for an additional 2 hours. The TiCl4 is then removed by filtration, 200 ml of TiCl4 are added while continuing the stirring at 12O°C for one more hour. Finally, the content is filtered and washed at 60°C with n-heptane until all chlorine ions disappear from the filtrate. The catalyst component obtained in this manner contains: Ti = 3.3% by weight; diisobutyl phthalate = 8.2% by weight.
In a 4 liter autoclave, previously purged with gaseous propylene at 70°C for 1 hour, are introduced at ambient temperature and in propylene current 70 ml of anhydrous n-hexane containing 7 mmoles of aluminum triethyl and 0.35 mmoles of 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl) fluorene, and 10 mg of the solid catalyst component prepared as described above. The autoclave is closed, 1.7 Nl of hydrogen and 1.2 kg of liquid propylene are introduced; the agitator is put in motion and the temperature is increased to 70°C in a period of 5 minutes. After 2 hours at 70°C, the agitation is interrupted, the nonpolymerized monomer is removed, and the content is cooled to ambient temperature.
-40 -

450 g of polypropylene is discharged from the autoclave, said polypropylene having a fraction insoluble in xylene at 25°C (X.I.) =97,5% and a melt index MFR/L = 5.0 g/10 min. The polymer yield is 45,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component. Comparative Example 7
Example 5 is repeated using 8.9 mg of the solid catalyst component of Example 5, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2-isopropyl,2-isopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane are used as the external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl (instead of the 9, 9-bis (methoxymethyl) f luorene) . 339 g of polypropylene are obtained, said polypropylene having X.I. = 97.7% and melt index MFR/L = 5.2 g/10 min. The polymer yield is 38,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid catalyst component.
Example 6
In a 500 ml cylindrical glass reactor equipped with a filtering barrier are introduced at 0°C 225 ml of TiCl4 and, while under agitation in a period of 15 minutes, 10.1 g (54 mmoles) of microspheroidal MgCla.2.1 C2H5OH obtained as
described in Example 1.
At the end of the addition, the temperature is brought to 70°C and 9 mmoles of 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane are introduced.
The temperature is increased to 100°C and after 2 hours the TiCl4 is removed by filtration. An additional 200 ml of
- 41 -

TiCl4 and 9 mmoles of 2-isopropyl-2-isopentyl-1,3-
dimethoxypropane are added; after one hour at 120OC the content
is filtered again and another 200 ml of TiCl4 are added proceeding with the treatment at 120°C for another hour; finally the content is filtered and washed at 60°C with n-heptane until all chlorine ions disappear from the filtrate. The solid catalyst component obtained in this manner contains: Ti - 3-6% by weight; 2-isobutyl-2-isopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane = 12.7% by weight.
Carrying out the polymerization as described in Example 5, and using 9.7 mg of the catalyst component described above, 484 g of polymer having X.I. = 99% and melt index MFR/L. =5.1 g/10 tnin. is obtained.
The polymer yield is 50,000 g of polypropylene/g of solid
catalyst component. Example 7
Example 6 is repeated, but using in this case 5.3 mg of the solid catalyst component of Example 1.
371 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 99.1% and MFR/L =
5.1 g/10 min. is obtained.
The polymer yield is 70,000 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 8
Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mraoles of 2,2-diisobutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the
- ACL -

polypropylene having X.I. = 97.0% and melt index MFR/L =5.6 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 30,500 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 9
Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2-isopropyl-2-isobutyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl.
Using 10 mg of solid catalyst component, 353 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 97.2% and melt index MFR/L. = 4.6 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 35,3 00 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 10
Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2, 2-diisopropyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl. Using 10.2 mg of solid catalyst component, 403 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 98% and melt index MFR/L = 5.1 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 39,500 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 11
Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2-ethyl-2-butyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the
-43 -

external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl. Using 9.8 mg of solid catalyst component, 307 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 95.2% and melt index MFR/L =5.1 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 31,300 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 12
Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2,2-diphenyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl. Using 8.7 mg of solid catalyst component, 347 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 98.0% and melt index MFR/L = 3.1 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 40,000 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 13
Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2-isopropyl-2-cyclohexyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl.
Using 9.1 mg of solid catalyst component, 297 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 98.0% and melt index MFR/L - 3.8 g/10 min. is obtained. The yield is 32,600 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component. Comparative Example 14
Comparative Example 7 is repeated, but in this case 0.35 mmoles of 2,2-dicyclopentyl-l,3-dimethoxypropane is used as the
-44 -

external electron-donor compound with the aluminum triethyl. Using 9.6 mg of solid catalyst component, .385 g of polypropylene having X.I. = 97.9% and melt index MFR/L = 3.2 g/10 min. is used. The yield is 40,100 g of polypropylene/g of catalyst component.
- 45 -

We Claim :-
1. A process for producing a catalyst for the polymerisation of olefins comprising reacting:
a) a solid catalyst component comprising a magnesium halide in
active form and, supported thereon, a titanium compound
containing at least one Ti-halogen bond and an electron-
donor compound;
b) an Al-alkyl compound; and
c) an electron-donor compound;
the Al-alkyl compound (b) and electron-donor compound (c) being in such an amount that the molar ratio is from 5:1 to 100:1 in the catalyst and the Al-alkyl compound and solid catalyst component (a) being in such an amount that the Al/Ti ratios range from 1 to 1000, said process being characterised in that the electron-donor compound is a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in positio'r 2 belongs to a cyclic or polycyclic structure made up of 5, 6 or 7 carbon atoms, or of 5-n or 6-n' carbon atoms and respectively n nitrogen atoms and n' heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S and Si, where n is 1 or 2, and n' is 1, 2 or 3, said structure containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyenic structure), and optionally being condensed with other cyclic structures, or substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl radicals; cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals and halogens, or being condensed with other cyclic structures and substituted with one or more of the above mentioned substituents that can also be bonded to the condensed cyclic structures; one or more of the above mentioned alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl radicals
- 46 -

and the condensed cyclic structures optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes of carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substituents
in the cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether c) are selected from the group
consisting of linear or branched C1- C20 alkyl radicals; C3 - C20
cycloalkyl; C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 aralkyl and C7-C20 alkaryl
radicals; Cl and F.
3. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cyclopolyenic
1,3-diether c) is selected from the compounds of the general
formula:

Where A, B, C and D are carbon atoms or heteroatoms selected from tne group consisting of N, O, S and Si; v, x, and y are 0 or 1 ; u and z are either 0 or 1 or 2; provided that when u = 0:
-47-

i) A, B and C are carbon atoms and v, x and y are equal
to 1,- or ii) A is a nitrogen atom, B and C are carbon atoms, v is
equal to 0 and x and y are equal to 1; or iii) A and B are nitrogen atoms, C is a carbon atom, v
and x are equal to 0 and y is equal to 1; or iv) A and B are carbon atoms, C is a nitrogen atom, v
and x are equal to 1 and y is equal to 0; when u = 1:
1) A,B, C and D are carbon atoms, v, x and y are equal
to 1 and z is equal to 2; or
2) A and B are carbon atoms, C is a nitrogen atom, D is
an oxygen atom, v and x are equal to 1, y and z are
equal to 0; or
3) A, B and C are carbon atoms, D is an oxygen,
nitrogen, sulfur or silicon atom, v, x and y are
equal to 1 and z is equal to 0 when D is an oxygen
or sulfur atom, equal to 1 when D is a nitrogen atom
and equal to 2 when D is a silicon atom;
when u = 2:
A, B and C are carbon atoms, D represents two carbon atoms bonded to each other by a single or double bond, v, x and y are equal to 1 and z is equal to 1 when the couple of carbon atoms D is bonded by a double bond and
-48-

equal to 2 when said couple is bonded by a single bond; radicals R and R1, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogens; C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; the R11 radicals, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals, and two or more of the R radicals can be bonded to each other to form condensed cyclic structures, saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted with R111 radicals selected from the group consisting of halogens; C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; said radicals from R to R111 optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes for carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both. The process as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cyclopolyenic 1,3 diether c) is selected from compounds of the general formula:
-43-

where radicals R and R1, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,- halogens; C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C30 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; the R11 radicals, equal or different, are selected from the group consisting of C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals, and two or more of the R radicals can be bonded to each other to form condensed cyclic structures, saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted with R111 radicals selected from the group consisting of halogens; C1-C20 alkyl radicals, linear or branched; C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkaryl and C7-C20 aralkyl radicals; said radicals from R to R111 optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes for carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both.
-50 -

5. The process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cyclopolyenic 1,3-
diether c) is selected from the group consisting of:
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-cyclopentadiene;
1, 1-bis (methoxymethyl) -2,3,4, 5-tetramethyl cyclopentadiene;
1,1-bis (methoxymethyl) -2,3,4, 5-tetraphenylcyclopentadiene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)indene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3-dimethylindene;
1,1-bis (methoxymethyl) -4, 7-dimethylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-4-phenyl-2-methylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)indene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-trimethylsilylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-trifluoromethylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-methylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-cyclopenthylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-isopropylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-cyclohexylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-tert-butylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)-7-tert-butyl-2-methylindene;
1,1-bis(methoxymethyl)- 7-phenylindene;
1,1-bis (methoxymethyl) -2-phenylindene,-
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene;
9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-tetramethylfluorene;
9,9-bis{methoxymethyl)-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexafluorofluorene;
9,9-bis{methoxymethyl)-2,3-benzofluorene;
-51-

9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-dibenzofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,7-diisopropylfluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-l,8-dichlorofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,7-dicyclopentylfluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl) -1, 8-difluorofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrofluorene; 9, 9-bis(methoxymethyl)-l,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydrofluorene; 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-4-tert-butylfluorene; 1,1-bis ( -metoxybenzyl) indene; 1,1-bis(1'-methoxyethyl)-5,6-dichloroindene; 9,9-bis( -methoxybenzyl)fluorene; 9,9-bis(1'-methoxyethyl)fluorene;
9- (methoxymethyl) - 9 - (1'-methoxyethyl) -2, 3, 6,7-tetrafluorofluorene;
9-methoxymethyl-9-pentoxymethylfluorene; 9 -methoxymethyl - 9 - e thoxymethylfluorene ; 9-methoxymethyl-9-(1'methoxyethyl)-fluorene;
6. The process as claimed in claim 3, wherein tte cyclopolyenic 1,3-tiiether c) is selected from the group consisting of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)xanthene, and 9, 9-bis(methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-tetramethylxanthene. 7. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Al-alkyl compound
is an Al-trialkyl. 8. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the titanium compound
-52 -

supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is selected from the group consisting of halides and halogen
alcoholates. 9. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electron-donor
compound supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is a Lewis base containing one or more electronegative groups where the electron-donor atoms are selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S, P, As or Sn.
10. The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electron-donor compound supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is an electron-donor compound that can be extracted with Al-triethyl from the catalyst component a1) for at least 70% in moles, the surface area (B.E.T.) of the solid product of extraction being at least 2 0 m2/g.
11. The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electron-donor
compound supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is
a phthalic acid ester.
12, The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electron-donor
compound supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is an ether containing two or more ether groups and that, under standard conditions, is complexed with anhydrous magnesium chloride for less than 60 mmoles per 100 g of chloride and with TiCl4 does not undergo substitution reactions, or it only does so for less that 50% in moles.

- 53-

13. The process as claimed in claim 9. wherein the electron-donor
- 54 -
compound supported on the solid catalyst component a1) is a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in position 2 belongs to a cyclic or polycyclic structure made up of 5, 6 or 7 carbon atoms, or 5-n or 6-n' carbon atoms and respectively n nitrogen atoms and n' heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S and Si, where n is 1 or 2 and n' is l, 2 or 3, said structure containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyenic structure) and optionally being condensed with othercyclic structures, or substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl radicals; cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals and halogens, or being condensed with other cyclic structures and substituted with one or more of the above mentioned substituents that can also be bonded to the condensed cyclic structures; one or more of the above mentioned alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or alkaryl radicals and the condensed cyclic structures optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes of carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both.

A process for producing a catalyst for the polymerisation of olefins comprising reacting :
a) a solid catalyst component comprising a magnesium halide in active form and, supported thereon, a titanium compound containing at least one Ti-halogen bond and an electron-donor compound;
b) an Al-alkyl compound; and c) an electron-donor compound;
100 :1 in the catalyst and the Al-alkyl compound and solid calalyst component (a) being in such an amount that the Al/Ti ratios range from 1 to 1000, said process being characterised in that the electron-donor compound is a cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in position 2 belongs to a cyclic or polycyclic structure made up of 5, 6 or 7 carbon atoms, or of 5-n or 6-n' carbon atoms and respectively n nitrogen atoms and n' heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, 0, S and si, where n is 1 or 2, and n' is 1, 2 or 3, said structure containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyenic structure), and optionally being condensed with other cyclic structures, or substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl radicals; cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals and halogens, or being condensed with other cyclic structures and substituted with one or more of the above mentioned substituents that can also be bonded to the condensed cyclic structures; one or more of the above mentioned alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl radicals and the condensed cyclic structures optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes of carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both.

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Patent Number

205821

Indian Patent Application Number

00334/CAL/2000

PG Journal Number

15/2007

Publication Date

13-Apr-2007

Grant Date

13-Apr-2007

Date of Filing

08-Jun-2000

Name of Patentee

MONTELL NORTH AMERICA INC

Applicant Address

2801 CENTERVILLE ROAD, NEW CASTLE COPUNTY, DELAWARE,

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	GIAMPIERO MORINI	215, VIA EMILIA, 27050 VOGHERRE, PAVIA,ITALY.
2	ENRICO ALBIZZATI	64 VIA ROMA, 28041 ARONA, NOVARA,
3	GIULIO BALBONTIN	17/A via BASSI, 44100 FERRARA
4	GIOVANNI BARUZZI	37 via MARIO AZZI, 44100 FERRARA
5	ANTONIO CRISTOFORI	9 CORSO BERLINGUER, 45030 OCCHIOBELLO, ROVIGO

PCT International Classification Number

C08F 10/00

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	M195A 000317	1995-02-21	Italy
2	M195A 00318	1995-02-21	Italy