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  4. In Zeigler-Natta polymerisation of ethylene, the active species is

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Q. In Zeigler-Natta polymerisation of ethylene, the active species is

KEAMKEAM 2000Coordination Compounds

Solution:

Ziegler Natta catalysts are used to polymerize terminal 1-alkenes (ethylene and alkenes with the vinyl double bond) as follows:
$nCH _{2}= CHR \rightarrow\left[ CH _{2} CHR \right]_{ n } .$
Zeigler-Natta catalyst is formed by the action of $\left( C _{2} H _{5}\right)_{3} Al$ and $TiCl _{4}$.
Active species is $Ti ^{ III }$ as $\left( C _{2} H _{5}\right)_{3} Al$ can reduce $TiCl _{4}$ to $TiCl _{3} . Ti ^{ III }$ has active site vacant and thus, can accommodate one alkyl group.