Polymerization process of vicinal alkylene oxides and polymerization catalyst therefor
United States Patent Unoura et a1.  
 1 1 Apr. 29, 1975 POLYMERIZATION PROCESS OF VICINAL ALKYLENE OXIDES AND POLYMERIZATION CATALYST THEREFOR Inventors: Kinya Unoura, Amagasaki; Atsushi Oda, Toyonaka; Yoshimasa Hayashi, Amagasaki; Nobuhiro Kimura, ltami; Tetsuya Nakata, lbaraki; Shingo Tokuda, Nishinomiya, all of Japan Assignee: Osaka Soda Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan Filed: Apr. 12, 1971 Appl. No.: 133,430  
 Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 30, 1970 Japan 45-96044 US. Cl. 260/2 A; 260/2 EP; 260/18 PF; 260/47 EP; 260/78.4 EP; 260/88.3 A; 260/429 R; 260/429.3; 260/429.5;  
  260/4482 R; 260/613 B; 260/615 B 1111. c1. C08g 23/14 Primary E.\&#39;aminer-William H. Short Assistant Examiner-T. Pertilla Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sherman &amp; Shalloway [57] ABSTRACT An improved process for polymerizing vicinal alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst comprising the reaction product of an aluminum or tin compound of the formula (1) R,,AIX,, (ii) R&#39;,,,MX, or (iii) SnX wherein the variables are as defined in the specification and one of a phosphorus-containing compounds of the (l)(l2) members specified in the specifica- Hon.  
 9 Claims, No Drawings POLYMERIZATION PROCESS OF VICINAL ALKYLENE OXIDES AND POLYMERIZATION CATALYST THEREFOR This invention relates to catalyst for polymerizing vicinal alkylene oxides which shows high catalytic activity for wide varieties of vicinal alkylene oxides and excellent stability, is easy to handle in such procedures as preparation. storage, use in polymerization system. and is capable of promoting the polymerization at relatively low temperatures with reduced catalytic amount compared with conventional catalysts. to provide polymers of desired molecular weights and crystallinity varying over a wide range. i.e., from amorphous to crystalline state; and also to the polymerization of vicinal alkylene oxides using such catalyst.  
  More particularly, the invention relates to a process for polymerizing or copolymerizing vicinal alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst to form the corresponding homoor co-polymers, characterized in that the reaction is performed in the presence of the reaction product of below-specified reactants (I) and (ll) as the catalyst. i.e. the reaction product of at least one of the following reactant (l) of the formulae (i) through (iii):  
 (l). aluminum compounds of the formula.  
  [in which R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl radicals, preferably alkyl radicals of [-8 carbon atoms. particularly 1-4 carbon atoms. alkoxy radicals preferably alkoxy radicals of l-8 carbon atoms. more preferably l-6 carbon atoms. inter alia, l-4 carbon atoms; and aryl radicals, preferably phenyl; X is a halogen atom. preferably a member of the group consisting of chlorine. bromine, and iodine; and n is an integer of 0-3]; Group [V metallic compounds of the formula,  
  m -Pm [in which M is a metal selected from Group IV metals of the periodic table having an atomic number ranging from 14-72 (Ti. Zr, Hf, Si. Ge. and Sn). when M is a metal of Group lVa (typical elements), R is a member of the group consisting of alkyl radicals, preferably alkyl radicals of l-8 carbon atoms. inter alia, l-4 carbon atoms; alkenyl radicals, preferably alkenyl radicals of l-8 carbon atoms, inter alia, l-4 carbon atoms; alkoxy radicals, preferably alkoxy radicals of l-8 carbon atoms, particularly l-6 carbon atoms. inter alia, l-4 carbon atoms; aryl radicals, preferably phenyl; and aralkyl radicals, preferably benzyl; and when M is a metal of Group lVb transition metals, R is an alkoxy radical: X is a halogen atom. preferably selected from the group consisting of chlorine. bromine and iodine: and m is an integer of 0-4]; and tin dihalides of the formula SnX (iii) [in which X is a halogen atom. preferably selected from the group consisting of chlorine and bromine] with at least one reactant (II) composed of a phosphorus-containing compound of one of the following 12 groups:  
 [in which R&#34; has the same meaning as described in connection with formula l and Z is a radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl of l-8 carbon atoms. preferably l-6 carbon atoms, and aryl, preferably phenyl] [in which R&#34; has the same meaning as described in connection with R&#34; of formula l except the hydrogen atom. and Z has the same meaning as described in connection with formula (2). the plural Zs optionally being the same or different] [in which R&#34; has the same meaning as described in connection with R&#34; of formula (1)] (5) (R&#34;O) P-0-i -o-P(0R&#34;) (5) [in which R&#34; has the same meaning as described in connection with R&#34; of formula (1)] (6) [in which R&#34; and Z each have the same meaning as described in connection with R&#34; of formula (1) and Z of formula (2), respectively. the plural Zs optionally being the same or different] [in which R&#34; has the same meaning as described in connection with R&#34; of formula (1)] [in which R&#34; and Z each have the same meaning as described in connection with R&#34; of formula (1) and Z of formula (2), respectively] [in which R&#39; and Z each have the same meaning as described in connection with R&#39; of formula (3) and Z of formula (2), the plural Zs optionally being the same or different] [in which R&#34; has the same meaning as described in connection with R&#34; of formula (1)] (l l) a halogen-containing phosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of phosphorus oxyhalides and phosphorus halides, or a combination of one of the above halogen containing phosphorus compounds with water, and  
 ( 12) a combination of a phosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of phosphorus oxide and compounds containing a phosphorushalogen linkage, preferably a phosphorus oxyhalide of the formula FOX (in which X represents a halogen atom), with a compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols of 1-12 carbon atoms, preferably 24, carbon atoms, aliphatic polyhydric alcohols of 1-12 carbon atoms, preferably 24. carbon atoms, epoxides derived from olefins or halogenated olefins of 2-12 carbon atoms, preferably 3-6 carbon atoms, and dialkyl ethers of 4-8 carbon atoms, preferably 4-6 carbon atoms, provided that when a dialkylether is used, a phosphorus oxide is used as the phosphorus compound, which are the components forming the esters of oxyacids of phosphorus or POC linkage as the reaction products, with the further proviso that if one metallic compound is used as the reactant (l), a halide or alkoxy halide is used, and if plural metallic compounds are used, at least one of which should contain halogen; and, if the halogen-containing phosphorus compound of (11) of (11) or a combination of one of these with water is used, an alkoxide selected from the group consisting of alkoxides of n=3 referring to formula (i) and those of n=4 referring to formula (ii) from reactant (l) is used.  
  Incidentally, when an alkoxy compound is selected from the aluminum compounds of formula (i) as reactant (1), preferably a completely esterifled product is selected as the phosphorus-containing compound in reactant (11), rather than a partially esterified product.  
  Heretofore, various catalysts have been proposed for homoor co-polymerization of vicinal alkylene oxides.  
  For example, catalyst systems composed chiefly of organic compounds of Group ll or 11] metals of the periodic table, such as organoaluminum compounds, organozinc compounds, organomagnesium compounds, etc. have been proposed, some of are being commercialized. This type of catalyst has certain technical drawbacks in that generally the required catalytic amount per unit amount of monomer is large, and the catalysts are dangerous or disadvantageous in handling, because they are combustible and quickly lose their catalytic activity in air. Furthermore, the catalysts composed chiefly of organozinc compounds are valuable for the polymerization of olefin oxides of relatively simple structures, such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, etc., but they fail to show any practical degree of catalytic activity for polymerization of halogen-substituted oxides such as epihalohydrins. Thus their utility is severely limited in the applicable type of vicinal alkylene oxides.  
  There was also a proposal to utilize the reaction products of aluminum alkoxides with phosphoric or phosphonic acids, presumably aluminum phosphate, as the catalyst for polymerization of vicinal alkylene oxides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,244,646), In comparison with such inorganic salt-type catalysts as above, the catalysts obtained through the combinations specified in this invention show far higher activities with respect to rate and degree of polymerization.  
  Use of polyphosphates of Group IV metals such as Ti and Zr as the catalyst was proposed as an example of utilization of Group IV metals of the periodic table [CA 63 10071 g-l00726 (1965)]. However, the catalysts are again under heavy limitations as to the applicable type of vicinal alkylene oxides, i.e., they show only low polymerization activity for ethylene oxide alone.  
  As other proposals for utilizing Group IV metals, use ofa tin halide-diamine complex (East German Pat. No. 55431/67), a stannous salt of carboxilic acid (US. Pat. No. 2,933,459) and the reaction product of stannous chloride with alkylene oxide (U.S. Pat. No. 3,248,347) are known. However, those catalysts provide polymers of relatively low molecular weights only, are limited in the applicable type of alkylene oxides, and must be used in large quantities to obtain any appreciable results.  
  It is known that so-called Friedel-Crafts catalyst, such as halides of Al, Sn, and Zr, are useful for the polymerization of various alkylene oxides, but they are also well known for their inability to provide high molecular weight polymers.  
  Research has now been conducted with the view to overcome the disadvantages and drawbacks inherent in the above described conventional catalysts, and it has now been discovered that the reaction products of the metallic compound or compounds selected from the compounds of previously given formulae (i) through (iii) as reactant (l) with the phosphorus-containing compound or compounds selected from the twelve groups as the reactant (ll), the combination of the reactants duly meeting the given limitations on their selection, show high catalytic activity for wide varieties of vicinal alkylene oxides. They also exhibit high stability and therefore are easy to handle during their preparation, storage, and use in the polymerization systems. The catalysts can be used in similar catalytic amounts compared with the amounts of conventional catalysts, and they give equally satisfactory results at relatively low polymerization temperatures, forming vicinal alkylene oxide polymers of optional molecular weights and crystallinity ranging from the amorphous state to crystalline state. Thus, the disadvantages and drawbacks in the conventional processes are effectively overcome by the catalysts of this invention.  
  Accordingly, therefore. the object of the present invention is to provide a polymerization or copolymerization process of vicinal alkylene oxides which achieves the numbers of improvements as described above.  
  Another object of the invention is to provide catalysts for polymerizing vicinal alkylene oxides, which are useful in the above polymerization or copolymerization process.  
  Still many other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.  
  The catalyst of the invention is any of the reaction products obtained by reacting at least one of the metallic compounds of formula (i) through (iii) as reactant (l), with at least one of the phosphorus-containing compounds of group l through (12) as reactant (ll). The reaction product may be used as prepared, or purified before use. In most ordinary cases, reaction products of one or two metallic compounds of (l) and a phosphorus-containing compound of (ll) are used.  
  When one metallic compound is selected from (l), a halide or alkoxy halide is chosen from the compounds of formulae (i) through (iii), and if plural metallic compounds are used, a combination of the compounds of different metals should be chosen. In the latter case. at least one of the metallic compounds should contain halogen. Again, if a halogen-containing phosphorus compound is used as reactant (ll), at least one alkoxide selected from the alkoxides ofn 3 of formula (i), and those of n 4 of formula (ii), is used as reactant (I).  
  As already mentioned, when a halogenated alkoxy compound represented by formula (i), i.e., those in which R is an alkoxy radical and n equals 1 or 2 of such formula, is selected as reactant (l), as the phosphoruscontaining compound of (ll) a completely esterified product is preferred, rather than a partially esterified product.  
  The combination of the catalyst-forming reactants is optional, so far as the foregoing limitations are satisfied. Whereas, as preferred examples, the following combinations may be named:  
  As the reactant (l), aluminum trihalide of formula (i) in which n equals zero is used with, as reactant (ll), a compound of group l in which R&#34; is an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl of l-l2, preferably 2-8 carbon atoms and halogenated alkyl of l-l2, preferably 2-4 carbon atoms.  
  As reactant (l), a tetrahalide of a Group [V metal of formula (ii) in which M is selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf and Sn, and m equals zero, is used with, as reactant (II), a compound of group (1) in which R&#34; is an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl of l-l 2 preferably 2-8 carbon atoms and halogenated alkyl of 1-12, preferably 2-4 carbon atoms.  
  As reactant (l), a tin dihalide of formula (iii) in which X is chlorine or bromine is used with, as reactant (ll), a compound of group (1) in which R&#34; is an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl of l-l 2, preferably 2-8 carbon atoms and halogenated alkyl of l-l2, preferably 2-4 carbon atoms.  
  As reactant (l), a combination of compounds of the same metal selected from aluminum trialkoxides of formula (i) in which R is an alkoxy radical of l-8 carbon atoms and n equals 3 and an aluminum trihalide of formula (i) in which X is a halogen atom and n equals 0, is used with, as reactant (ll), a compound of group (1) in which R&#34; is an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1-12, preferably 2-8 carbon atoms and halogenated alkyl of l-l2, preferably 2-4 carbon atoms.  
  As reactant (l), a combination of compounds of different metals selected from aluminum trialkoxides of formula (i) in which R is an alkoxy radical of l-8 carbon atoms and n equals 3, and silicon halide, or alkyl or phenyl silicon halide, or alkoxy silicon halide, of formula (ii) in which M is Si and m is 0-2, is used with, as reactant (ll), a compound of group (1) in which R&#34; is an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl of l-l 2, preferably 2-8 carbon atoms and halogenated alkyl of l-l2, preferably 2-4 carbon atoms.  
  As the reactant (l), a combination of compounds of different metals selected from aluminum trialkoxides of formula (i) in which R is an alkoxy radical of l-8 carbons and n equals 3, and germanium halide, or alkyl or phenyl germanium halide, or alkoxy germanium halide, of formula (ii) in which M is Ge and n=0-2, is used with, as reactant (ll), a compound of group (1) in which R&#34; is an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl of l-l2, preferably 2-8 carbon atoms and halogenated alkyl of l-l2, preferably 2-4 carbon atoms.  
  As reactant (l), a combination of compounds of different metals selected from silicon halide, alkyl or phenyl silicon halide, or alkoxy silicon halide of formula (ii) in which M is Si and m is 0-2, and tin halide or alkylor phenyl-tin halide of formula (ii) in which M is Sn and m is 0-3, is used, with reactant (ll) of formula (I) in which R is an organic radical selected from alkyl of 2-8 carbon atoms and halogenated alkyl of 2-4 carbon atoms.  
  In the above preferred examples, the compounds of formula (1) as reactant (ll) can be replaced by the combination of group 12), preferably by the combination of phosphorus oxyhalide of the formula POX (in which X stands for a halogen atom) with the PO-C linkage-forming component of an aliphatic alcohol of l-l2, preferably 2-4, carbon atoms.  
  Furthermore, when a reaction product of plural compounds of different metals as reactant (l) with the reactant (ll) is used as the catalyst in accordance with the invention, addition of an organometal compound selected from the following groups (a) through (c) as promotor is useful to further increase the catalytic activity:  
 organoaluminum compound of the formula,  
 [in which R&#34;&#34; is a member of the group consisting of alkyl of l-8, preferably 1-4 carbon atoms, and phenyl, X stands for halogen, preferably a member of the group consisting of Cl, Br and l. and p is an integer of l-3];  
 organozinc compound of the formula,  
  [in which Q is an alkyl of l-4 carbons, or phenyl]; and organomagnesium compound of the formula,  
 [in which Q has the same meaning as above].  
  The preferred quantitative range of the promotor is 0.01-100 percent, particularly O.l-5O percent, by weight, based on the reaction product serving as the main catalyst. If the catalyst and promotor are mixed or contacted in advance, in certain cases the catalytic activity may be lowered. Therefore. it is preferred to add the two simultaneously or at different times to the polymerization zone, in the presence of vicinal alkylene oxide to be polymerized. For example, either the catalyst or promoter is charged in the polymerization area and later the other is added. either at the beginning of, or during, the polymerization.  
  In the above, some of the preferred examples of combinations of catalyst-forming reactants are given, with the understanding that other combinations may of course be employed.  
  The precise compositions or structures of the reaction products of the reactants (l) and (ll) are not yet clear. They are normally obtained as white to light yellow solids. For example, if zirconium tetrachloride as reactant (l) and tri-n-butyl phosphate as reactant (II) are reacted at a molar ratio of 1:2, n-butyl chloride is distilled off from the system, and the remaining solid product shows high activity for polymerization of various vicinal alkylene oxides.  
  In an example of elementary analysis of the solid reaction product, the carbon content was 28.4 wt percent, and hydrogen content was 5-6 wt. percent. The details of its structure are not clear, but from these analytical values alone it is inferred that first a phosphoric acid ester salt of halogenated zirconium of the formula:  
 (calculated value of carbon content: 34.9 percent) is formed, and then it is condensed into a structure somewhat similar to the following structure.  
 (calculated value of carbon content: 27.9 percent) avoid Of course, the present invention is by no means limited by the above inferred structure. If the reaction is further continued until the carbon and hydrogen contents approach zero, a tendency appears that the catalytic activity of the reaction product is remarkably reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to aviod such excessive reaction, but suspend it at a suitable time which can be easily empirically determined. If the organic phosphoric ester is replaced by inorganic phosphoric acid or metal phosphate, the reaction product fails to show any useful degree of catalytic activity. Thus it is presumed that the presence of a structure which is derived from the chemical reaction of the ester of oxyacid of phosphorous with the reactant (I) has some important significance to the effect of the present invention, it being understood that such a conjecture in no way limits the scope of this invention.  
  The catalysts in accordance with the invention exhibit satisfactory stability, although in certain cases their catalytic activity may be somewhat lowered by prolonged contact with moisture. Particularly when stored as solutions in hydrocarbons, particularly in aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, they exhibit excellent storage stability. They are completely inert to dry air, and entirely free from handling hazards.  
  While the reaction of reactants (l) and (II) advances at room temperature in some cases, it is preferably performed at elevated temperatures, e.g., room temperature 400C., preferably 400C., more preferably around lO0-300C.  
  When plural compounds of different metals are used as reactant (l), the metallic compounds and the reactant (ll) may be simultaneously charged into the reaction zone, or optionally two of the compounds may be charged first and the other, added later. According to a preferred practice, the metallic compounds are mixed in advance, and then reactant (II) is added to be reacted.  
  The reaction is normally performed in the absence of solvent, but if desired, inert hydrocarbons such as heptane, benzene, halogenated hydrocarbons such as carbon tetrachloride, may be used as the solvent. It is also permissible to use a solvent which dissolves the metal halide, such as an ether. The reaction may be performed in the air, but reaction in an inert gaseous atmosphere, such as of nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, etc. is preferred, particularly when an easily oxidized component is employed.  
  As the reaction progresses, side-products differing for each specific combination of reactants (l) and (ll), such as alkyl halide, aryl halide. alkenes, alcohol, etc. are formed, which are conveniently distilled off from the system under the heated reaction conditions. When the catalysts are to be prepared in large quantities, the reaction is preferably performed under agitation.  
  The molar ratio of the reactants is variable over a wide range and subject to no specific limitations. A mole ratio of approximately 0.01-50 mols of reactant (ll) per mol of reactant (I) (if plural compounds are, per mol of the total of used metallic compounds used) is generally employed. Preferably the mole ratio of reactant (Il) may range approximately from 0.1-15 mols,  
  9 inter alia, O.l-l mols, per mol of reactant (I). Also when plural compounds are used as reactant (l), the mol ratio among them is freely variable. For example, when two metallic compounds are used, the molar ratio ranging approximately from 1:10 to may often be used.  
  The reaction products of reactants (l) and (II) are useful as the polymerization catalysts of vicinal alkylene oxides as they are, but if desired, may be purified to remove the volatile components such as unreacted components and side-products, under reduced pressure and/or heating. They may also be purified by washing with a suitable washing solvent such as hexane, heptane, and ether, or dissolving in a suitable solvent such as benzene. toluene, and xylene, to be reprecipitated therefrom. In certain cases they may be dissolved in a suitable solvent, e.g., benzene, and allowed to stand for a predetermined time under heating or at room temperature, to be imparted with increased or stabilized catalytic activity.  
  The reaction product can be added-to the polymerization system as solid or solution. If used as solid, it is preferably ground before use Specific examples of the aluminum compounds of formula (i) among the reactant (I) include, for example, aluminum halides of the formula (i) in which n equals zero, such as AlCl AlBm, and All;,. monoalkyl-, monoarylor monoalkoxy-aluminum halides with n equalling I, such as CH AlCl C H AlBr C- ,H AlCl isoC H AlCl C.;H =,All C H OAlCl C H OAlBrisoC H OAlClisoC,-,H,,OAlL, nC H OAlCl and isoC H OAlBr dialkyl-, diaryl-, or dialkoxy-aluminum monohalides with n equalling 2, such as (C H,-,) AlCl, (nC H All, (isoC l-l,,) AlBr, (C.,H AlCl, (C H O)- AlCl, (isoC,-,H O) AlBr, (n C H O) All, and (C H CH- L AlBr); and trialkyl-, triaryl, or trialkoxyaluminum with n equalling 3, such as (CH;;);,Al, 2 s)a a Ua- L 4 sOa L s sh L (CH3O)3AL 2 5 )3 a 1 )3 L 3 7 Al, (nC H O) Al, (isoC H O) Al, (tC H,,O) Al, s 11 )3 L 5 n 6 ra )a (nCgH 10)3Al and (C(;H5CH2O)2!AL Specific examples of Group N metallic compounds of formula (ii) of reactant (I) include, when M is silicon, silicon halides with m equalling zero, such as SiF SiCl SiBr and Si]; alkyl-, aryl-, or alkoxy-silicon trihalides with m equalling 1, such as CH SiCl CH SiBr C H Sil C H SiBr and C H,-,OSiCl dialkyl-, diaryl-, or dialkoxy-silicon dihalides with m equalling 2, such as (CHghSlCl-z, (C H SiBr (CH =CH) SiCl (C H O) SiCl and (C;;H O) SiI- trialkyl-, triaryl-, or trialkoxy-silicon halides with m equalling 3, such as (CH SiCl, (C H ,SiBr, (C H Sil, (C H O) SiCl, and (C;,H O);;SiBr; tetralkyltetraaryl-, tetraalkoxy-, or alkylalkoxy-silicons with m equalling 4, such as (CH LSi, (C,H,,) Si, (CH SiCH CH=CH (C ;H Si, (C H O) Si, a &#39;I BL H3)2 3)2. r 2 .-.)3 and (C H SiOC H when M is germanium, germanium halides of m=0, such as GeF GeCl GeBr and Gel monoalkylor monoalkoxy-germanium trihalides of m=l such as Ge(C H F,)Cl- Ge(CH;,)Br and Ge(OCH;,)Cl.-;; dialkylor dialkoxy germanium dihalides of m=2 such as (CH=,). ,GeCl (C H GeBr halides such as (CH GeCl and (C H GeCl: when M is tin, tin halides of m=0 such as SnF SnCl SnBn.  
 and Snl monoalkyl-, monoaryl-, monoalkenyl-, or monoaralkyl-tin trihalides of m=l such as CH SnBr C H SnCl C H Snl C H SnCl C H SnBr C H Snl C H SnBr C H CH SnCl and CH =CHSnCl dialkyl-, diaryl-, dialkenyl-, or diaralkyl-tin dihalides of m=2 such as (CH SnCl 2 5)2 2- a rh &#39;z 4 9 2- a 102 2 (C H SnCl (C H CH- hSnBr and (CH =CH&#39;-CH SnBr trialkyl-, trialkenyl-, or triaralkyl-tin halides of m=3 such as (CH );,Snl, 2 s):z a shs &#39;l 4 9)3 L u rfla fi (C H SnI, (C.;H =,CH SnCl, and (CH =CH) SnBr; tetraalkyl-, tetraaryl-, tetraalkenyl-, or tetraaralkyl-tin or alkylalkoxy tin of m=4, such as (C H Sn, 6 5)4 2 )4 (C6H5CH2)4SH. r)2 a):h 4 9)2 12 23)2! and (C H, Sn(OC l-l when M is titanium, titanium halides of m=0 such as TiCl TiBr Til etc.; monoalkoxy titanium trihalides of m=l such as (Ti(OCH ,)Cl;,, Ti(OC H )Br Ti(OC H )Cl- Ti(OC H ,)l;,, and Ti- (OC H QCLQ; dialkoxy titanium dihalides of m=2 such as Ti(OC H Cl Ti(OC H Br Ti(OC ,H, Cl and Ti(OC l-l )l trialkoxy titanium halides of m=3, such as (Ti(OCH Cl, Ti(OC H Br, Ti(OC ,H (OC- ,H )Cl, and Ti(OC H l; tetraalkoxy titanium of m=4 such as Ti(OCH;,) Ti(OC- H Ti(OC;,H and Ti- (OC H, when M is zirconium, zirconium halides of m=0 such as ZrF ZrCl ZrBr and Zr]; monoalkoxyzirconium trihalides of m=l such as Zr(OC- ,H )Cl Zr(OC. ,H )Br Zr(OC H )Cl Zr(OC H )Br and Zr(OC H )Cl;,; dialkoxy-zirconium dihalides of m=2 such as Zr(OC H Cl Zr(OC H ,Cl and Zr(OC -,H, )Br. trialkoxy-zirconium halides of m=3 such as Zr(OC H Br, Zr(OC;,H Cl, and Zr(OC H Cl; and tetraalkoxy-zirconium of m=4 such as ZT(OCH:;)4\ ZY(OC2H a) I3 Q)-h Z!&#39;(OC4H9)4\ and Zr(OC r,H and when M is hafnium, hafnium halides of m=0 such as HfF HfCl HfBr and Hfl monoalkoxy-hafnium halides of m=l such as Hf(OC- ,H =,)Cl and Hf(OC l-l )Br dialkoxy-hafnium dihalides of m=2 such as (Hf(OC- H Cl Hf(OC H Brand Hf(OC H )3 l trialkoxyhafnium halides of m=such as Hf(OC H l, and Hf(OC H Cl; and tetraalkoxy-hafnium of m=4 such as Hf(OC H l-lf(OC;,H Hf(OC H and 5 1i)4- Preferred specific examples of the metallic compounds of the formula (iii) of reactant (I) include SnCl and SnBr Examples of group (3) compounds include: (CGHS)Z(C2HSO)PO, fiH-JAQHQ WQ (CHH5)2(CXHITO)PO\ and -z a)-z( 2 5 Examples of group (4) compounds include:  
  Specific examples of group 10) compounds include: (C- H O) POP(OC H (C H O) POP(OC H and 4 9 )2 4 )2- Specific examples of the halogen-containing phosphorus compounds of group (1 l) which are to be reacted with a metal alkoxide selected from the alkoxides 45 of formula (i) of reactant (l) in which n 3 and the alkoxides of formula (ii) in which n 4, include, besides a phosphorus oxyhalide, a phosphorus trihalide represented by the formula PX (in which X stands for a halogen atom) and phosphorus pentahalide of the formula PX (in which X stands for a halogen atom), Particularly a phosphorus trihalide, inter alia, phosphorus trichloride, is preferred.  
  As reactant (ii), the phosphorus compound to be used in the combination of POC linkage-forming component of group l 2), for example, inorganic phosphorus compounds such as phosphorus trioxide, phosphorous tetroxide, phosphorous pentachloride, phosphorus halides represented by the foregoing formula PX or OX and phosphorus oxyhalides represented by the formula POX (in which X stands for a halogen atom); as well as the compounds represented by the formulae, XD PO, X DPO, XD P, and X DP, in which X stands for a halogen atom and D stands for a member of the group consisting of alkyl of 1-8 carbon atoms, phenyl and alkoxy of 2-8 carbon atoms, may be named. More specific examples are as follows: (C H O) CIPO,  
 HOCH -CH-OH, CH  
 ell  
  -c c t c I 2 on &#39;H2, 11 cu oh H on 0H 0H on c1 0H v v I OH OH C1 -CH -CH OH and HOCHZ-CHZ-O-CH HOCH CHOCH CH OCH CH OH. and epoxides derived from olefins of 2-1 2carbons such CH CH 3 CHZC, 22  
 &#34;CH -CH CH Br can be named. Also as the dialkylether to be combined with phosphorus oxide, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, and dibutyl ether may be named.  
  As the promoter which may be concurrently used with the catalyst formed by the reaction of reactants (l) and (II), the following may be named: (CH AI, (C2H5)3AL 3 7)3 4 9)3 (C6H5)3AL (CH AlCl, (CH ,AlBr, (C HQ AICI, (C- H AlBr, (C H All, (C H AlCl,(C H AlBr, (C H All, CHgAlClg, CH3AH2, C2H5AIC12, C2H5AlBr C3H AlBl&#39;, C H AlCl- C H AlBr C H AlI C H AICI C H AlBr Specific examples of organozinc compounds of formula (b) are dialkyl zinc such as (C H Zn, a 7)2 4 9)2 and r; 5)2  
  Specific examples of organomagnesium compounds of formula (c) are dialkyl magnesium such as :x)2 g- 2 5)2 g- 3 1)2 g. 4 1)2 gand s sb g- The catalysts of the invention are useful for the preparation of homoor co-polymers of vicinal alkylene oxides of optional molecular weight varying over a wide range and of varying crystallinity, i.e., from amorphous to crystalline state. This variation in molecular weight and crystallinity can be controlled by suitable selection of specific reactants (l) and (II) For example, in polymerization of epichlorohydrin, if the reaction product ofa halide ofGroup IV metal of the periodic table, e.g.. SnCl with a ester of an oxyacid of phosphorous is used as the catalyst, a polymer of high crystallinity and high degree of polymerization is formed. However, if SnClis replaced by a halide of Ti, Zr, or Hf in the above catalyst, polymers of medium crystallinity with a high degree of polymerization are obtained. Again, if the SnCl is replaced by a halide of Si. Ge, or Sn (tetravalent the catalysts tend to give polymers of the degree of polymerization lower than the preceeding case. With the catalyst in which a halide of Al is used, amorphous polymers of a relatively low degree of polymerization tend to be formed. In contrast thereto, the reaction products of a mixture of aluminum halide or alkoxide with SiCl, or GeCl with a ester of an oxyacid of phosphorous serve as the catalysts to give amorphous polymers of a high degree of polymerization.  
  Generally speaking, the selection of a specific compound or compounds of reactant (l) tends to influence the crystallinity and/or degree of polymerization of product polymers. while the selection of a specific phosphorus-containing compound as reactant (ll) seemingly little affects the polymer properties. Again as a general tendency, the type of organic radicals in reactants (l) and (ll) affects the smooth progress of the catalyst-forming reaction alone, and the type of organic radicals contained in the reaction product does not appreciably effect the crystallinity and/or degree of polymerization of the product polymers. However, as already mentioned the presence of the structure derived from the chemical reaction of an a ester of an oxyacid of phosphorus with one or more compounds of formula (1) possesses very significant bearing on the catalytic activity. Therefore, in accordance with the invention, the type of organic radicals in reactants (l) and (ll) is variable over a considerably wide range.  
  The polymerization of vicinal alkylene oxides in accordance with the invention is performed using the herefore described novel catalyst. The polymerization temperature and quantity of the catalyst are not criti cal, although normally temperatures not lower than C., and the catalytic quantity are employed. For example, temperature ranging 0-100C., and 0.1 percent by Weight to the vicinal alkylene oxide monomer (or monomeric mixture) are occasionally employed. If desired, it is of course permissible to use more than 2 wt. percent to the monomer of the catalyst, but such is unnecessary. Again reaction temperatures as low as approximately C., or as high as 200C. may be employed if desired, but such is unnecessary.  
  The polymerization progresses equally well, in the presence or absence of a solvent. As the solvent, any organic solvent which is inert to the catalyst and monomer can be used, with no other critical limitations. For example, aliphatic alkyl ethers such as diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, diisopropyl ether, etc.; aromatic hydrocarbons which may contain a substituent such as halogen, lower alkyl radical. etc., such as benzene, toluene. chlorobenzene, etc.: saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as propane, pentane, hexane, heptane and high alkanes; alicyclic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane; haloalkanes such as methyl chloride, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and ethylene dichloride; and mixtures of foregoing, can be used.  
  In the subject process, the catalyst exhibits high stability as well as high activity, consequently notably facilitating the polymerization operations and maintaining good reproducibility of the reaction. Also only a minor quantity of the catalyst satisfactorily achieves the intended effect. Thus the possible detrimental effect of the residual catalyst in the polymer appearance, e.g., coloring, or on polymer properties, is eliminated.  
  Particularly amorphous high polymers of epihalohydrins which are useful as artificial rubber are normally formed through bulk or solution polymerization. However, if the polymerization is performed in the presence of subject catalyst and aliphatic hydrocarbons as the solvent, under stirring at a suitable rate, the rubbery product can be recovered as a granular precipitate. In such a process, incidental steps such as removal of solvent are markedly simplified.  
  The process of this invention can be practiced either continuously or batchwise.  
  The subject process is applicable to homoor co-polymerization of wide varieties of vicinal alkylene oxides. As examples of such vicinal alkylene oxide.  
 monomers, the following may be named.  
 Vicinal alkylene oxides of formula (1) below:  
 in which R,, R R and R are selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen; (b) saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing 1-18 carbon atoms, R through R, nor forming a ring; (c) aryl-substituted group (b) radicals; (d) group (b) radicals substituted with a cycloalkyl group of 5-7 carbon atoms; (e) halogensubstituted groups (b) (c), and (d) radicals; (f) aryl radicals which may be substituted with aliphatic radicals of 1-12 carbon atoms and/or halogen; (g) saturated or unsaturated cycloalkyl group of 5-7 carbon atoms, which may be substituted with aliphatic radicals of 1-12 carbon atoms and/or halogen; (h) groups (b) through (g) radicals containing an epoxy group; (i) radicals represented by the formula (2) below,  
 and (j) radicals represented by the formula (3) below,  
 in the above formulae (2) and (3), R is CH-,,  
 and R&#34; is a member of the group consisting of:  
 (i) saturated or unsaturated aliphatic radicals of 1-18 carbon atoms;  
 (ii) the radicals of (i) above which are substituted with aryl;  
 (iii) the radicals of (i) above which are substituted with cycloalkyl of 5-7 carbon atoms;  
 (iv) aryl radicals optionally containing side chains of 1-12 carbon atoms;  
 (v) cycloalkyl radicals optionally containing side chains of 1-12 carbon atoms; and  
 (vi) radicals of (i) through (v) above, which are halogen-substituted.  
  As specific examples of such vicinal alkylene oxides, the following may be named; olefin oxides such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, l-butene oxide, Z-butene oxide, isobutene oxide. l-hexene oxide, l-octene oxide, butadiene monoxide, cyclohexene oxide, and vinylcylcohexene monoxide; aromatic substituted olefin oxides such as styrene oxide, a-methylstyrene oxide. B-methylstyrene oxide, p-methylstyrene oxide. pchlorostyrene oxide, o-chlorostyrene oxide, and glycidyl benzene; halogenated olefin oxides such as epichlorohydrin, epibromohydrin, epiiodohydrin, epifluorohydrin, Z-methylepichlorohydrin 3,3,3-trichloropropylene oxide, and 4,4,4-trichloro-l-butene oxide; glycidyl ethers such as methyl glycidyl ether, ethyl glycidyl ether, propyl glycidyl ether, butyl glycidyl ether, cyclohexyl glycidyl ether, phenyl glycidyl ether, tolyl glycidyl ether, p-chlorophenyl glycidyl ether, and allyl glycidyl ether; glycidyl esters of monocarboxylic acid such as glycidyl acetate. glycidyl propionate, glycidyl monochloroacetate, glycidyl benzoate, glycidyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, and glycidyl cyclohexanecarboxylate; diepoxides of diolefins such as butadiene dioxide, vinylcyclohexene dioxide, and glycidyl silanes; glycidyl esters of dicarboxylic acids such as glycidyl phthalate, glycidyl maleate, and glycidyl succinate; and diglycidyl ethers which are the reaction product of bisphenols with epichlorohdrin.  
  Hereinafter several embodiments for practicing the subject process will be explained by means of working examples.  
  16 EXAMPLE 1 In the later given Table I, examples of the catalyst preparation from various combinations of reactants (l) and (II) are shown. The manner of the catalyst preparation was as follows. A glass reactor of 500 ml in capacity which was equipped with a distillation column, stirrer, heating device and thermometer was charged with the reactants (l) and (II), and if necessary, a solvent. The system was heated under stirring, distilling off the volatile side-products of the reaction to semi-solidify or solidify the reaction system. The reaction product was subjected to either one of the following three posttreatments, and used as the polymerization catalyst for a vicinal alkylene oxide.  
 1. The reaction product was allowed to cool in air, pulverized, and dried at room temperature for 2 hours under reduced pressure.  
 2. The reaction product was allowed to cool in air, washed twice with hexane, and dried at 100C. for 2 hours under reduced pressure.  
 3. The reaction product was allowed to cool in nitrogen gas, washed twice with hexane, and dissolved in benzene.  
  In the Table I, the reaction time&#34; means the heating time at the highest reaction temperature. When necessary, the reaction and post-treatment were performed in nitrogen gas.  
 Table I Reactant (I) Reactant (11) Highest Reac- C at- Amount Amount Solvent reaction tion Postalyst used used Amount temp. time treat- No. Molecular formula (g) Molecular formula (g) Type (ml) (C.) (min.) ment Remarks 1 AICI 26.6 108.0 ethyl 50 135 I5 (I in N gas ether 2 All 41.0 26.5 I 15 (2 do. 3 AlBr 26.7 85.0 I40 10 (2) 4 C .H -,AICI 25.0 58.0 nhexane 220 I5 (2) in N- gas 5 C ,H -,AlBr 35.8 72.0 n-hexane I 85 I5 (3) do. 6 C H -,OAlCl 8.6 (nC H,,O) PO(OH) 21.0 175 15 (2) 7 Til. 55.0 66.5 205 I0 (2) in N gas 8 (iC;,H;O) TiBr. 62.0 (C- -H,-,)(nC H O)- PO 35.0 140 I0 (2) 9 ZrCl. 23.3 54.0 180 I0 (2) 10&#39; ZrCl 23.3 27.5 170 I0 (2) 40.0 1&#39;] ZrBr 23.3 30.0  
  40.0 170 I0 l in N. gas 12 HICI. 33.0 54.0 I60 10 (2) 13 (nC,H,,O) .ZrCl- 1.0 C,,H -,(C,,H,;,O)- PO 47.0 195 I5 (2) 14 HfCI 33.0 22.0  
  CH =CHCH OH 80.0 I 15 (2) in N gas 15 SiCl, 34.0 (CH-FCHCHZO)3PO 105.0 I70 20 (2) I6 GeCI. 42.5 (ClCH CH- CH- O); PO 78.0 190 20 (2) 17 sncl 26.0 55.0 210 10 2) in N. gas 18 SnBr, 3 I .5 (ClCH- .CH O); PO 135.0 205 I0 (I do. 19 SnCI: 38.0 60.0 240 I5 (2) 20 SnBr 25.0 78.0 250 15 (2) 21 SnCL; 38.0 57.0 240 I5 (2) in N gas 60.0 22 Al(OiC,-,H;);, 42.0 14.0 n-hexane 5 l 23 TIIOHCJIQ, 70.0 31.0 30 (2) 24 Zr(OnC.,H,.). 55.0 22.0 n-hexane 50 I50 10 (2) 25 AI(OnC,H,,);, 25.0  
  Si(OC ,H,-,) 2 I .0 31.0 n-hexane 50 I75 15 (2 26 Al(OiC; H;); 42.0  
  Ti(OiC -,H 32.6 15.3 n-hexane 40 I40 15 (2) 27 Zr(OC H 13.5  
  Hf(OC- ,H 44.0 28.0 I60 10 (2) 28 AICI; 26.6 73.0 ethyl 40 I0 (2) SiCl, 17.0 ether 29 SiCl. 17.0 54.0 95 30 (2) in N gas 30 AICI; 13.3  
  (nC.,H,,); SnCl 32.5 C. H -,(C. .H -,O)- .PO 128.0 230 10 (2) 31 All 41.0  
  Ch SiCL, 15.2 n-hexane 40 I60 10 (2) in N. gas 2 N 2 5) GeCl n-hexane 40 I0 (2 33 Al(OiC; H 35.0  
 SICI. 36.0 46.0 I75 20 (3) In N gas Table I Cntinued Reactant (l) Reactant (11) Highest Reac- C at- Amount Amount Solvent reaction tion Postalyst used used Amount temp. time treat- No. Molecular formula (g) Molecular formula (g) Type (m1) (C.) (min.) ment Remarks 34 Al(Oi(C;,H 35.0  
  ZrCI 48.7 (nC H O MPO 93.0 n-heptane 40 190 (2) 35 AI(OiC H 20.4  
  (CH;,)- .SiCl. 13.0 (nC,H,,O),P. .O 35.2 2I0 l0 (2) 36 AI(OnC H,,);. 25.0  
 HfCl, 66.0 (iC;,H;O)- .PO(OH) 48.5 ethyl I 20 (2) ether 37 Al(OnC H)a 25.0 carbon Til, 12.0 (CH- CHCH OL PO 49.0 tetra- 70 205 I5 (2) Snl 24.5 chloride 38 AI(OC H,-,)CI 24.0  
  (QH OMZrCI 32.0 (CH (nC.H,,O)PO 30.0 2I0 5 (I 39 AI(C- .H,-,) 22.8  
  SiCl, 34.0 (nC. H,,O) PO 54.0 n hexane 20 190 I0 (3) in N gas 40 A1(C.;H 27.0  
  SnBr 5x0 (nC.,H O);;P 105.0 n-neptane 1x0 10 (2) do. 41 ARC- H 22.8  
  [.rCl 23.5 tnC H O PO 54.0 n-hexane 20 I45 10 (2) do. 42 Al(C- .H -,):Cl 23.5  
  (CH LSiCI 13.0 (nC .H -,O PO 2&#34;.0 n-hexane 22 I 20 (2) do. 43 Ti(l. 9.5  
  ZrCl 12.5 POCI; 45.0 I60 I0 (2) in N. .gas HfCl I 3.0 -H OH 60.0 44 ZrCl, 23.3  
 . GeCl, 21.5 (nC.,H,,O).-.PO 108.0 155 I0 3) 45 SnBr. 28.0  
  Zr(OC H,-,). ,Br. 27.5 (nCd&#39;l ..O)..PO 8 I .0 245 I0 (2) 40 (nC,H,,):,SnCI 32.5  
  SiCl. 9.0 (n( H,,O PO 81.0 230 I0 (2) 47 (C.;H;.) SnBr- 35.5  
  GeBn 2 l .0 (CH- -=CHCH-,O) PO 85.0 2 I5 I0 (2) 48 SnCl I (nC.H,,). .SiCl 2 I .3 (1C H,,O);,PO 54.0 255 I0 (2) 49 ZrI 250 Fl 39.0  
  Sil, 22.0 nC;,H OH 40.0 I0 (2) 50 HfCI, 33.0  
  (C H LSICI: 50.0 (nC.,H,.O);,PO 95.0 I80 15 51 AlBn, 27.0 P 0 15.0 I30 10 on in Zgas SiBr, I 5.0 nC,H ,OH 50.0 2 Al(OiC;,H 21.0 POCI 16.5  
  SiCl 15.0 IC H OH 24.0 10 (2) in N gas SiCl. 15.0 iC; H OH 24.0 165 I0 (2) in N gas 53 &#39;li(OnC,H1. 35.2  
  (H- Sick; 13.0 (nC ,H ,O);IPO 26.6 n-hexane 30 10 (2) 54 Zr(OC H .Cl- 32.0  
 (CH;|)2S1C12 13.0 (C,;H .C- H -,OPO 38.0 2 I0 I0 (2) LE 2 the polymerization was effected at the indicated tem- The results of performing epichlorohydrin polymer- 45 perature. When an alkylated compound of Zn. Mg, or Al was added as the promotor. the organometallic compound diluted in n-heptane was poured into the vessel immediately after the charging of epichlorohydrin. The polymer obtained was dissolved once in hot benzene or hot monochlorobenzene containing 0.5 percent of Nocrac NS-6 (2.2methylene-bis-4-methyl-o-t-butyl phen01), and the solution was poured into a large excess of methanol. The precipitate formed was separated and dried under reduced pressure. In Table 2, the reduced viscosity is that measured at 80C., in a monochlorobenzene solution with a concentration of 0.1 g/100 ml. Also the crystallinity was determined by X-ray diffractron.  
 Table 2 Re- Re- Catalyst Mono- Solvent Promotor action action Reduced mer Run Amount Amount Amornt Molecular Amount temp. time Yield vis- No. No (g) (g) Type (g) formula (g) (C) (hr. (7r cosity Remarks 1 l 0.2 40 40 24 70 0.38 amoaphous 2 2 0.2 40 40 24 38 0.29 do. 3 4 0.2 15 benzene 20 40 24 50 0.90 do. 4 5 0.15 40 40 24 72 0.75 do. 5 7 0.15 40 55 24 50 1.15 semi-crystalline 6 9 0. I 5 40 55 24 92 2.05 do. 7 9 0.1 20 benzene 20 55 24 71 2.20 do. 8 10 0.1 I 5 benzene 20 60 24 75 1.80 do. 9 I l 0.1 40 60 24 94 1.95 do.  
 Table 2 Continued Re- Re- Catalyst Mono- Solvent Promotor action action Reduced mer Run Amount Amount Amount Molecular Amount tem time Yield \is- No. No. (g) (g) Type (g) formula (g) (C) (hr. (&#34;/1 cosity Remarks 12 0.08 40 55 24 77 1.90 do. 11 14 0.1 40 55 24 45 1.52 do. l2 15 0.2 40 45 48 23 0.14 do. l3 17 0.2 15 hexane 30 24 66 0.70 do. 14 18 0.2 40 30 24 72 0.65 do. 15 19 0.15 40 40 24 90 1.42 crystalline 16 20 0.15 40 40 24 55 1.05 crystalline 17 21 0.2 15 carbon tetrachloride 20 40 24 70 1. 15 do. 18 22 0.2 40 13 40 24 65 0.88 amorphous 19 23 0.1 40 60 24 83 1.18 semi crystalline 20 0.1 40 40 24 89 1.45 amorphous 21 26 0.2 40 24 75 0.96 do. 22 28 0.2 40 40 24 65 1.82 do. 23 29 0.2 40 40 24 62 1.40 do. 24 29 0.2 40 AlEt 0.02 40 24 89 1.75 do. 25 29 0.2 15 n-hexane 20 ZnEt 0.01 40 24 75 1.60 do. 26 30 0.2 40 15 48 52 1.10 semi-crystalline 27 32 0.2 40 40 24 78 1.40 amorphous 28 33 0.08 40 50 24 82 1.58 do. 29 33 0.05 10 benzene 30 60 24 78 1.53 do. 30 33 0.05 10 benzene 30 AlEt: 0.01 60 24 96 3.55 do. 31 33 0.05 10 benzene 30 MgEt 0.01 60 24 88 2.20 do. 3 33 0.08 10 benzene 30 Al- 0.02 30 48 93 2.80 do.  
  .1 T 1 33 34 0.2 40 35 24 55 1.55 amorphous 34 34 0.2 AlEt 0.01 55 24 87 1.95 do. 3 35 0.2 10 benzene 30 24 7 1.40 do. 36 36 0.1 40 55 24 9 1.58 semi-crystalline 37 37 0.2 15 carbon tetrachloride 20 24 53 1.22 do. 38 39 0.2 40 40 24 80 1.55 amorphous 39 39 0.2 40 Zn Et 0.02 40 24 89 1.75 do. 40 41 0.2 40 24 95 2.10 semi-crystalline 41 42 0.2 40 40 24 1.28 amorphous 42 43 0.2 40 45 24 85 1.95 semi crystalline 43 45 0.2 40 25 24 65 1.35 crystalline 44 46 0.1 40 25 24 1.39 do. 45 46 0.1 20 benzene 20 25 24 60 1.40 do. 46 46 0.1 20 benzene 20 AlEt 0.01 25 24 88 1.85 do. 47 48 0.1 20 benzene 20 A1Et;, 0.01 25 24 73 1.58 do. 48 49 0.2 40 55 24 72 1.28 amorphous 49 50 0.1 40 55 24 96 2.45 semi-crystalline 50 51 0.2 40 MgEt 0.01 40 24 1.83 amorphous 51 52 (1. 1 20 benzene 20 45 24 59 1.48 do. 52 53 0.2 40 55 24 88 1.35 semi-crystalline 53 54 0.1 40 55 4 42 1.85 do.  
 , EXAMPLE 3 tent of no more than 15 p.p.m. was used. The resulting polymer was dissolved once in approximately m1 of The results of polymerizing propylene oxide using the hot acetone containing 0.5 percent of Nocrac NS-6. pcatalysts prepared in Example 1 are given in Table 3. oured into water. and the precipitate which formed was The polymerization method in general was similar to dried under reduced pressure. The reduced viscosity that employed in Example 2. As the monomer. propyso was measured as a benzene solution at a concentration lene oxide which had been dehydrated to a water conof 0.1 g/l00 ml, at 40C.  
 Table 3 Re- Re- Catalyst Monomer Solvent Promotor action action Run Amount Amount Amount Molecular Amount temp. time Yield Reduced No. No. (g) (g) Type (g) formula (g) (C) (hr.) (&#34;/1 viscosity Remarks 1 l 0.15 30 25 20 58 3.95 amorphous 2 3 0.15 30 25 20 51 1.80 do. 3 6 0.15 15 benzene 15 25 20 45 2.65 do. 4 8 0.15 30 25 20 31 1.50 do. 5 9 0.15 15 benzene 1t 40 20 99 4.95 do. 6 10 0.15 15 benzene l5 40 20 86 4.10 do. 7 13 0.10 15 25 20 72 3.30 do. 8 16 0.10 15 25 20 18 0.95 semi-crystalline 9 17 0.15 15 nhexane 15 25 20 85 1.58 do. 10 19 0.05 30 20 24 92 6.05 do. 1 1 24 0.05 30 25 20 32 3.18 amorphous 12 27 0.05 15 benzene l5 25 20 75 3.50 do. 13 29 0.05 15 benzene 15 25 20 65 3.83 do. 14 29 0.05 15 benzene 15 AlEt 0.01 25 20 88 5.91 amorphous 15 31 0.1 15 benzene l5 AlEt 0.01 25 20 75 3.10 do. 16 33 0.05 15 benzene l5 25 20 61 5.45 do.  
 Table 3 Continued Re- Re- Catalyst Monomer Solvent Promotor action action Run Amount Amount Amount Molecular Amount temp. time Yield Reduced No. No. (g) (g) Type (g) formula (g) (C) (hr.) (71 viscosity Remarks 17 33 0.05 l5 benzene l5 AlEt 0.04 25 20 96 9.30 do. I8 33 0.10 benzene l5 MgEt 0.0] 20 89 7.90 do I9 38 0.1 30 20 72 3.85 do 20 44 0.] 25 20 78 5.00 do. 2] 46 0.] 30 25 20 85 6.40 semi-crystalline 22 46 0.] l5 benzene l5 ZnEL: 0.03 10 48 82 7.20 do. 23 47 0.15 30 30 20 32 2.85 do. 24 47 0.15 30 A|Et;, 0.0l 30 20 75 3.95 do. 25 52 0.1 30 30 20 60 3.52 amorphous l5 EXA M PL E 4 The results of polymerizing various epoxides using the catalysts prepared in Example 1 are given in Table 4. The polymerization method employed in general was similar to that practiced in Example 2. Ethylene oxide was distilled through a potassium hydroxide-filled column before the polymerization, and other epoxides were dehydrated to the water content of not more than 20 p.p.m. Among the resulting polymers. SO (styrene oxide) and PGE (phenyl glycidyl ether) polyers were washed with ethyl ether containing 0.5 percent of Nocrac NS-o. and dried under reduced pressure. and B0 l-butene oxide). BGE (butyl glycidyl ether) and AGE (allyl glycidyl ether) polymers were washed with methanol or water containing methanol. and dried under reduced pressure. Again EO (ethylene oxide) polymer was filtered. immersed in ethyl ether containing 0.1 percent of Nocrac NS-6. and dried under reduced pressure as it was. The reduced viscosity of E0. BO. AGE and BGE polymers were measured as benzene solutions at a concentration of 0.1 g/l00 ml. at 50C., and that of SO and PGE polymers were measured as monochlorobenzene solutions at a concentration of 0.1 g/l00 ml, at 80C.  
 run were mixed in advance of being charged into the polymerization tube. Other polymerization procedures generally were similar to those employed in Example 2. The polymerization products of run Nos. 1 through 3 were dissolved in approximately 100 ml each of acetone containing 0.1 percent of Nocrac NS-6. and dried under reduced pressure as they were. The products of Run Nos. 4 through 10 were dissolved in hot acetone containing 0.5 percent of Nocrac NS-6. poured into a large excess of methanol. and the precipitate which formed was dried under reduced pressure. The reduced viscosities of the products of Run Nos. 1 through 3 were measured a benzene solutions at a concentration of 0.1 g/l00 ml. at 50C.. and the remainder as monochlorobenzene solutions at a concentration of 0.] g/lOO ml. at 80C.  
  All the polymers obtained through Run Nos. 1 through 10 were amorphous. and exhibited excellent rubbery elasticity. By means of titration of iodine value.  
 . the allyl glycidyl ether content of the polymer of Run Table 4 Catalyst Monomer Solvent Reaction Reaction Run Amount Amount Amount temp. time Yield Reduced No. No. (g) Type (g) Type (g) (C) (hr.) (g) viscosity Remarks 1 9 0.08 E0 4 hexane 36 20 8) 7.2 crystalline 2 19 0.08 E0 4 hexane 36 25 20 88 8.8 do. 3 46 0.08 E0 4 hexane 36 25 20 100 I16 do. 4 19 010 B0 25 l 8 72 4.8 amorphous 5 33 0.05 BO 40 30 I8 83 6.5 do. 6 0.05 BO 40 30 18 92 7.9 do. 7 I 2 0. 20 SO 40 40 24 25 0. 8 semi-crystalline 8 33 0.20 SO 40 40 24 7] L8 do. 9 9 0.10 PGE 40 30 24 8 L4 do. l0 l2 0.05 PGE 40 30 24 42 0.9 do. I I 33 0.05 PGE 40 30 24 95 3.1 do. 12 33 0.15 AGE 40 30 24 28 0.3 amorphous l3 50 0. l 5 AGE 40 30 24 l5 0.] do. I4 46 0.10 BGE 40 30 24 86 1.3 do.  
 EXAMPLE 5 Run No. 4 polymer: 26.5 percent.  
  Run No. 6 polymer:  
 Run No. 5 polymer: 22.6 percent. 24.0 percent. Run No. 7 polymer: 27.0 percent. Run No. 8 polymer: 7.4 percent.  
 Run No. 9 polymer: 34.6 percent.  
 Run No. 10 polymer: 18.3 percent.  
  ,5 The yield was expressed by the weight percent of the polymer based on the total weight of the charged monomer.  
 Table Reac- Catalyst Monomer Solvent Promotor Reaction tion Reduced Run Amount Amount Amount Molecular Amount temp. time Yield vis- No. No. (g) Type (g) Type (g) formula (g) (C.) (hr.) (7() cosity Remarks 1 0.1 P0 36 30 24 62 3.8 amorphous AGE 4 P0 37 2 I) 01 AGE 3 30 24 x0 3 2 do.  
  P0 18 3 33 0.1 AGE 1.5 benzene 40 24 )4 4.9 do.  
  E0 (1 4 19 0.1 EPCH 34 20 10 23 1.8 do.  
  E0 6 3 33 0.2 EPCH 34 30 16 18 2.4 do.  
  E0 3 e 46 0.08 EPCH l7 benzene 20 A|Et;, 0.01 15 I2 22 3.0 do.  
  P0 10 7 33 0.1 EPCH 30 AlEt 0.01 50 24 85 3.5 do.  
  P0 32 x 33 0. EPCH x 50 24 96 4.3 do.  
  EPCH 35 9 52 005 AGE 5 60 24 88 1.3 do.  
  E0 3 I0 46 0.08 PO 7 25 13 28 3.7 do.  
 EPCH  
 EXAMPLE 6 25 Continued Rebound elasticity 29% Aging test (gear system. Eplchlorohydrln was polymerized in a polymeriza- 150C. hrs.) tion tank of 20 liters in capacity, which was made SUS- 27 stainless steel and equipped with a stirrer, thermom- 30 on resistance test (115 N 40C. x 241m. eter and a jacket. L 9? P I I erg t variation Flrt th q p m the mtrogen&#39; Oil resistance test (isooctane 70 toluene substituted, and into the tank a llqtlld mixture com- 30. 40C. X 24 hrs.) posed of 3 kg of epichlorohydrm and 12 kg of benzene 1 :0 which had been dehydrated to a water content of not more than 10 ppm was charged. To the system catalyst EXAMPLE 7 No. 33 prepared in Example 1 was added as 50 ml of benzene solution (concentration: 0.3 g/l ml of the solution). The amount of the catalyst in the case was 0.10 percent by weight based on the liquid mixture. Subsequently 2 ml of triethylaluminum were added, and the system was polymerized at 60C. for 24 hours. To the resulting extremely viscous polymerization liquid 30 g of Nocrac NS-6 were added, and the system was poured into a large excess of methanol. The precipitate which formed was dried at 50C., to yield 2.5 kg of epichlorohydrin rubber. This raw rubber had a reduced viscosity of 3.05 (80C.. 0.1 g/lOO ml, monochlorobenzene). and Mooney viscosity (ML ,lO0C) of 71. Also the ash content was 0.45 percent. No crystallinity was recognized when examined by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimeter.  
  The raw rubber was formed into a blend of the following composition, and the physical properties of the vulcanized product were examined.  
 Blend composition Component Part by weight 5 .0 l .0 l .5 l .0 50  
 Tensile strength 15! kg/cm&#34; Elongation 410 7r 200 Modulus 121 kg/cm Tear strength 57 kg/cm Permanentelongation 4&#39;71 Example 6 was repeated except that 12 kg of the benzene used as the polymerization solvent was replaced by l 1 kg of n-hexane. In this run the polymer was obtained as a granular precipitate, without adhering onto the inside walls of the polymerization tank. The polymer was separated by filtration, added to an ethyl ether solution containing 20 g of Nocrac NS-6, and dried as it was at 50C. Thus an epichlorohydrin rubber was obtained through relatively simple post-treatment.  
 We claim:  
  1. ln a process for polymerizing or copolymerizing vicinal alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst to form the corresponding homoor copolymers, the improvement wherein the polymerization or copolymerization reaction is performed in the presence of a catalyst comprising the reaction product performed at a temperature of l00-300C. by reacting outside of the polymerization system:  
 I. at least one metal halide selected from the group consisting of a compound of the formula AlX wherein X means chlorine or bromine, a compound of the formula MX wherein X is as defined above. and M is a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, Si. Ge, and Sn and a compound of the formula SnX wherein X is as defined above, with at least one reactant (11) selected from the phosphorus-containing compounds of the following ll groups:  
 wherein R&#34; is a member selected from the group consisting of, alkyl of l-l2 carbon atoms, halogenated alkyl of l-l2 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 1-12 carbon atoms, and cycloalkyl of 5-7 carbon atoms which may contain an alkyl or alkenyl side chain of l-4 carbon atoms, the plural Rs optionally being the same or different;  
 wherein R&#34; is as defined in formula (1). Z is a radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1-8 carbon atoms and aryl;  
  wherein R&#39;&#34; is a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl of l-l2 carbon atoms, halogenated alkyl of l-2 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 1-12 carbon atoms, and cycloalkyl of 5-7 carbon atoms which may contain an alkyl or alkenyl side chain of 1-4 carbon atoms, Z is as defined in formula (2), the plural Zs optionally being the same or different;  
  wherein R&#34; is as defined in formula (1); (5)  
  wherein R is as defined in formula (1); (6)  
 Z-P-O-P-Z wherein R&#34; is as defined in formula l) and Z is as defined in formula (2);  
  65 wherein R&#39;&#34; is as defined in formula (3) and Z is as defined in formula (2), the plural Zs optionally being the same or different;  
 wherein R&#34; is as defined in formula (1); and  
 (11) combination of a phosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of a phosphorus oxide and compounds containing a phosphorushalogen linkage, with a compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols of l-12 carbon atoms, aliphatic polyhydric alcohols of 1-12 carbon atoms, epoxids derived from olefins of 2-12 carbon atoms, and dialkyl ethers of 4-8 carbon atoms, provided that when a dialkyl ether is used. said phosphorus oxide is selected as the phosphorus compound, the combination of components forming the esters of oxyacids of phosphorus or POC linkage as the reaction products,  
  2. The process of claim 1, wherein aluminum trichloride is used as the reactant (I), and a compound of formula (l) in which R&#34; is an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl of l-12 carbons and halogenated alkyl of 1-12 carbons is selected as reactant (ll).  
  3. The process of claim 1, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr Hf and Sn and is selected as reactant (l), and a compound of formula (1) in which R&#34; is an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl of l-l2 carbons and halogenated alkyl of 1-12 carbons is used as reactant (ll).  
  4. The process of claim 1, wherein a tin dihalide in which X is selected from the group consisting of chlorine and bromine is used as reactant (l), and a compound of formula l in which R&#34; is an organic radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1-12 carbons and halogenated alkyl of l-12 carbons, is used as reactant (ll).  
  5. The process of claim 2., wherein the compound of formula (1) as reactant (ll) is replaced by the combination of group l l wherein phosphorus oxyhalide of the formula POX (in which X stands for halogen atom) is selected as the compound containing phosphorushalogen linkage, in combination with the POC linkage-forming component of an aliphatic alcohol of l-12 carbons.  
  6. The process of claim 3, wherein the compound of formula l as reactant (ll) is replaced by the combination of group (11) wherein a phosphorus oxyhalide of the formula, POX (in which X stands for halogen atom) is used as the compound containing phosphorushalogen linkage, in combination with the POC linkage component of an aliphatic alcohol of l-12 carbons.  
  7. The process described in claim 4 wherein the compound of formula 1 as reactant (ll) is replaced by the combination of group (1 1) wherein a phosphorus oxyhalide of the formula, POX (in which X stands for halogen atom) is used as the compound containing phosphorus-halogen linkage, in combination with the POC linkage-forming component of an aliphatic alcohol of 1-12 carbons.  
  8. The process of claim 1 wherein an aromatic hydrocarbon is used as the solvent for homopolymerization of epichlorohydrin or copolymerization of epichlorohydrin with other alkylene oxides.  
  9. The process of claim 1, wherein an aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon is used as the solvent for homopolymerization of epichlorohydrin or copolymerization of epichlorohydrin with other alkylene oxides.  
 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,880,779 DATED April 29, 1975 lN\/ ENTOR( UNOURA, ET AL.  
  it is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby correcked as shown below;  
 Claim 1, column 25, line 18, delete &#34;l-2&#34;, insert l-l2 Signed and Sealed this Arrest:  
 RUTH C. MASON C. MARSH AIIPSII&#39;ng Offi ALL DANN omml&#39;ssioner ofParenrs and Trademarks