Ziegler-Natta catalyst

Investigating organometallic compounds using the tri-methylaluminium compound, Ziegler had unexpected results. Tracking this down to nickel impurities, he experimented with many alkylaluminium compounds[?]. Titanium compounds led to the production of long, unbranched, polymer chains.

In the search for understanding and control of Ziegler-Natta polymerization at the molecular level, a number of metallocene catalysts have been developed, often offering fine control over the composition and tacticity of the polymer chain so produced.