Broadly, the polymerization of ethylene and α-olefins by organometallic
catalysts is one of the most important catalytic processes in the chemical industry
and the Ziegler–Natta catalysis an impressive example of polymerization on
and with molecular catalysts per se or on a support. The detailed understanding
of this fundamental catalysis on all relevant chemical and physical scales, the
molecular level of the catalyst structure, the microkinetic mechanistic reaction
paths, and the macrokinetic reaction engineering level of the total polymerization
process, reflects a story of innovations in science and technology that is still today
undergoing further development.
Another fascinating story surrounding the discovery of the Ziegler catalysts
is the struggle to get international patent right protection and the early temptation
by polyolefin producers to neglect the patent owner’s right by infringement. Heinz
Martin [2], a co-inventor of the polymerization processes had assisted Ziegler
with the technological aspects as well as with patent matters and represented
the Institute’s interests in negotiations with potential licensees and in disputes
over infringements [1]. In 2002, Martin published a book entitled Polymere und
Patente-Karl Ziegler, das Team 1953–1998 (published in English in 2007 as
Polymers, Patents, Profits – A Classic Case Study for Patent Infighting) in which
he described in detail the complicated and fascinating story of patent defence [3].
This anthology outlines some essential contributions from our group, the results
of which have led to well-founded knowledge and to an increasing number of
conclusions on detailed mechanisms. This is in line with a deductive development
that started from individual experiments and aimed towards an overall physical
and chemical description.
Fig. 2 Stiftung Sammlung
Ziegler, im Kunstmuseum
Mu ¨lheim an der Ruhr,
Synagogenplatz 1, 45468
Mu ¨lheim an der Ruhr.
http://sammlung-ziegler.de
Contributions to the Ziegler–Natta Catalysis: An Anthology
5
catalysts is one of the most important catalytic processes in the chemical industry
and the Ziegler–Natta catalysis an impressive example of polymerization on
and with molecular catalysts per se or on a support. The detailed understanding
of this fundamental catalysis on all relevant chemical and physical scales, the
molecular level of the catalyst structure, the microkinetic mechanistic reaction
paths, and the macrokinetic reaction engineering level of the total polymerization
process, reflects a story of innovations in science and technology that is still today
undergoing further development.
Another fascinating story surrounding the discovery of the Ziegler catalysts
is the struggle to get international patent right protection and the early temptation
by polyolefin producers to neglect the patent owner’s right by infringement. Heinz
Martin [2], a co-inventor of the polymerization processes had assisted Ziegler
with the technological aspects as well as with patent matters and represented
the Institute’s interests in negotiations with potential licensees and in disputes
over infringements [1]. In 2002, Martin published a book entitled Polymere und
Patente-Karl Ziegler, das Team 1953–1998 (published in English in 2007 as
Polymers, Patents, Profits – A Classic Case Study for Patent Infighting) in which
he described in detail the complicated and fascinating story of patent defence [3].
This anthology outlines some essential contributions from our group, the results
of which have led to well-founded knowledge and to an increasing number of
conclusions on detailed mechanisms. This is in line with a deductive development
that started from individual experiments and aimed towards an overall physical
and chemical description.
Fig. 2 Stiftung Sammlung
Ziegler, im Kunstmuseum
Mu ¨lheim an der Ruhr,
Synagogenplatz 1, 45468
Mu ¨lheim an der Ruhr.
http://sammlung-ziegler.de
Contributions to the Ziegler–Natta Catalysis: An Anthology
5