- Aluminoxane
Aluminoxanes refer to compounds that are obtained by the partial hydrolysis of
trialkylaluminium compound s. Aluminoxanes serve as activators for catalytic olefin polymerisation, such as theZiegler-Natta catalyst . They also serve a function as scavenger for impurities (e.g.water ) in reactions that are sensitive to these impurities.Examples of aluminoxanes include:
*Triisobutylaluminoxane (TiBAO), formed by the hydrolysis oftriisobutylaluminium
*Methylaluminoxane (MAO), formed by the hydrolysis oftrimethylaluminium The
hydrolysis of trialkylaluminium compounds is a highlyexothermic process, and the starting trialkylaluminium compounds are oftenpyrophoric (i.e. burns on contact with air).References
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