| abstract |
A method of producing a modified waxy ethylene polymer, which comprises polymerizing ethylene in an inert hydrocarbon solvent at 120 DEG - 250 DEG C. and pressure ranging from the vapor pressure of the solvent at the polymerization temperature to 100 Kg/cm2 using a catalyst composed of a halogen compound of titanium and/or vanadium and an organoaluminum compound supported on a carrier comprising a hydrocarbon-insoluble magnesium-containing compound to form a waxy ethylene polymer having a viscosity average molecular weight of 500 to 30000, reacting an unsaturated polycarboxylic acid with the resulting waxy ethylene polymer in the presence of a peroxide at a temperature above the melting point of the waxy ethylene polymer and up to 250 DEG C., and if desired, contacting the ethylene polymer, before or after the reaction with the unsaturated polycarboxylic acid, with oxygen or a gas containing oxygen. |