Polymerization process using cocatalyst of aluminum alkyl compound and oxygen

Monomers containing a CH2=C< group are polymerized, preferably in an inert hydrocarbon solvent, e.g. heptane in the presence of a catalyst consisting of oxygen and an aluminium trialkyl or an aluminium dialkyl hydride. Exemplified monomers are vinyl propionate, butyrate, 2-ethyl hexoate, or isodecanoate, methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, or 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, hexyl, octadecyl, or lauryl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, di-n-butyl itaconate, isoprene, pentadiene-1,3, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, alpha-methyl styrene, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, vinyl cyclohexene-1, and vinyl-2-chloro-ethyl ether. Exemplified aluminium compounds are triisobutyl aluminium, triethyl aluminium, trioctyl aluminium, and diisobutyl aluminium hydride. The polymers are recovered by conventional techniques, Specification 880,981 also is referred to.