| abstract |
A process for the copolymerization of carbon monoxide with an olefinically unsaturated compound comprising contacting the monomers in the presence of a liquid diluent with a catalyst composition which is based onn (a) a source of a Group VIII metal, (b) a bidentate ligand of the general formula R¹R²M¹-R-M²R³R⁴ wherein M¹ and M² independently represent a phosphorus, arsenic or antimony atom, R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ independently represent unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbyl groups on the understanding that at least one of R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ represents a polar substituted aryl group and R represents a bivalent bridging group containing at least two carbon atoms in the bridge, and (c) a boron hydrocarbyl compound, with application of a stirring power transmitted to the polymerization mixture of at least 0.25 kW/m³. |