Abstract:
Alkyl aluminium compounds of general formula AlR3 in which R represents a lower alkyl radical are converted into compounds having higher alkyl radicals than the starting material by a process in which they are sprayed into a stream of ethylene being conveyed at a flow velocity of 1 to 50 m/minute and with a residence time of 1 to 20 minutes through a reaction chamber maintained at a temperature between 120 DEG and 200 DEG C., the reaction chamber having a diameter up to 3 cm. and a length at least 1,000 times the diameter. It is preferred that the starting material should contain at least two carbon atoms. The apparatus comprises a reactor A, a condenser B, a pressure separator C, a regulating valve D, a flow meter E, a circulation compressor F, a pump G for liquid under pressure and a mixing component H. The reactor A consists of a copper tube, suitable dimensions being a diameter of 8 mm. and length 40 metres (capacity 2 litres). This is wound with a 3% inclination on to an iron tube b of diameter about 50 cms. and open top and bottom. The assembly is placed in an oil bath c and a stirrer d disposed inside the iron tube to force the oil downwards in the tube and upwards through the annular gap between the iron tube b and the wall of the bath c. This ensures that the reactor is continuously washed by the oil in the bath. An immersion heater e is provided for heating the oil. The ethylene stream is fed in via the compressor F to the mixing unit H where it entrains the alkyl aluminium starting material in atomized form. It passes through the reactor, unreacted ethylene being separated in the separator C and recirculated, the growth product remaining behind and drawn off as necessary. Details of operation are given in the Specification. Specifications 713,081, 742,642 and 763,824 are referred to.