Coordination complexes as catalysts

Abstract

A process for producing polyesters and copolyesters, useful for making films and fibers, by the polycondensation of dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic glycols using coordinations complexes of metal halides and silicon compounds as catalysts.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. A coordination complex of: (A) a metal halide of a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, zinc, germanium tin, lead, antimony and bismuth; and   (B) a silicon compound selected from the group consisting of: ##STR5## wherein W is CH 2  ═CX-- or ##STR6## X is hydrogen or methyl and is methyl only when m is one; R* is alkyl or haloalkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;   R** is methyl, ethyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy or butoxy;   R is methyl, ethyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy or trimethylsiloxy;   R' is methyl, methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy or trimethylsiloxy;   R" is methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, trimethylsiloxy or vinyldimethylsiloxy;   R'" is methyl, ethyl, butyl or trimethylsilyl;   Me is methyl;   Z is methyl or W; Q is .[.NH 2  CH 2  --, NH 2  CH 2  CH 2  NHCH 2  --,.]. NC--, HS-- or HSCH 2  CH 2  S-- group;   n is an integer having a value of from 2 to 5;   m is an integer having a value of zero or one;   x is an integer having a value of from 1 to 100; and   y is an integer having a value of from 1 to 100; wherein the mole ratio of A:B in said coordination complex is from 1:1 to 1:7.     
     
     
       2. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein silicon compound (B) is a compound of the general formula: ##STR7## wherein W, R, R', R", n and m are as defined in claim 1. 
     
     
       3. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein silicon compound (B) is a compound of the general formula: ##STR8## wherein Me, W and Z are as defined in claim 1. 
     
     
       4. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein silicon compound (B) is a compound of the general formula: ##STR9## wherein Me, W, R'", x and y are as defined in claim 1. 
     
     
       5. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein silicon compound (B) is a compound of the general formula:   QCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SiR.sub.3 **     wherein Q and R** are as defined in claim 1.   
     
     
       6. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicon compound (B) is diethoxyphosphorylethyl methyl diethoxysilane. .[. 
     
     
       7.  A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicon compound (B) is 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane..]. 
     
     
       8. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicon compound (B) is 2-cyanoethyl triethoxysilane. 
     
     
       9. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicon compound (B) is 2-mercaptoethyl triethoxysilane. 
     
     
       10. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1 of titanium tetrachloride and diethoxyphosphorylethyl methyl diethoxysilane. 
     
     
       11. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1 of titanium tetrachloride and 2-cyanoethyl triethoxysilane. 
     
     
       12. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1 of antimony trichloride and diethoxyphosphorylethyl methyl diethoxysilane. .[.13. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1 of germanium tetrachloride and 3-aminopropyl 
     
     
        triethoxysilane..]. 14. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1 of zirconium tetrachloride and diethoxyphosphorylethyl methyl diethoxysilane. 
     
     
        5. A coordination complex as claimed in claim 1 of tin tetrachloride and diethoxyphosphorylethyl methyl diethoxysilane.