US Patent 7446167 Catalyst deactivation agents and methods for use of same

A method of deactivating a polymerization catalyst system comprising contacting the catalyst system with a catalyst deactivation agent wherein the catalyst system comprises an alkyl aluminum cocatalyst and the reaction of the catalyst system and catalyst deactivation agent produces reaction products that are noncorrosive, nongelatinous, or both. A method of inhibiting the polymerization of propylene comprising contacting a polymerization catalyst system with a catalyst deactivation agent wherein the catalyst system comprises an alkyl aluminum cocatalyst and the reaction of the cocatalyst and the catalyst deactivation agent produces reaction products that are noncorrosive, nongelatinous, or both. A method of deactivating a polymerization catalyst system having an alkyl aluminum cocatalyst, comprising contacting the catalyst system with an alcohol, a carboxylic acid, an alkylene glycol, or combinations thereof.