Introduction to Industrial Polyethylene: Properties, Catalysts, and Processes

Dennis B. Malpass studied chemistry at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA and received a BS in 1966. He then attended graduate school at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN and studied main group organometallic chemistry receiving his Ph.D. in 1970. His industrial career spanned 33 years working on synthesis, characterization and applications of metal alkyls, especially aluminum alkyls in Ziegler-Natta polymerization of olefins. His work included development of viable commercial processes for trimethylaluminum, a crucial raw material for many single site catalyst systems. Dr. Malpass was also codiscoverer of n-butylethylmagnesium in 1978, still employed today to produce catalysts used in the manufacture of many millions of tons of polyethylene worldwide. Dr. Malpass has more than 70 patents and publications. He retired in 2003 and now consults in the polyolefins industry. He also teaches organic chemistry and is an instructor for continuing education courses for SPE and ACS.