Atom transfer radical polymerization of sodium2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate

The first example of well‐controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of a permanently charged anionic acrylamide monomer is reported. ATRP of sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate (NaAMPS) was achieved with ethyl 2‐chloropropionate (ECP) as an initiator and the CuCl/CuCl₂/tris(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)amine (Me₆TREN) catalytic system. The polymerizations were carried out in 50:50 (v/v) N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF)/water mixtures at 20 °C. Linear first‐order kinetic plots up to a 92% conversion for a target degree of polymerization of 50 were obtained with [ECP]/[CuCl]/[CuCl₂]/[Me₆TREN] = 1:1:1:2 and [AMPS] = 1 M. The molecular weight increased linearly with the conversion in good agreement with the theoretical values, and the polydispersities decreased with increasing conversion, reaching a lower limit of 1.11. The living character of the polymerization was confirmed by chain‐extension experiments. Block copolymers with N,N‐dimethylacrylamide and N‐isopropylacrylamide were also prepared. The use of a DMF/water mixed solvent should make possible the synthesis of new amphiphilic ionic block copolymers without the use of protecting group chemistry. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4446–4454, 2005     

ATRP synthesis and association properties of thermoresponsive anionic block copolymers

Thermosensitive anionic block copolymers of sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM) with different block lengths were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Controlled polymerization was achieved by using ethyl 2‐chloropropionate (ECP) as initiator and CuCl/CuCl₂/tris(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)amine (Me₆TREN) catalytic system in DMF:water 50:50 (v/v) mixtures at 20 °C. Blocks lengths ranging from 36 to 98 repeating units were obtained. The association properties in aqueous solutions at different NaCl ionic strengths were studied as a function of temperature and polymer concentration by dynamic light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy, and energy‐filtered transmission electron microscopy. The block copolymers with a higher pNIPAAM/pAMPS ratio formed spherical core‐shell type micelles independently of the ionic strength. The block copolymers with lower pNIPAAM/pAMPS ratio formed core‐shell type micelles at high ionic strength. Larger particles were observed at low ionic strength, which could be due to the formation of vesicles or compound micelles/micellar clusters. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4830–4842, 2008     

A novel tridentate nitrogen donor as ligand in copper catalyzed ATRP of methyl methacrylate

A tridentate ligand, BPIEP: 2,6‐bis[1‐(2,6‐diisopropyl phenylimino) ethyl] pyridine, having central pyridine unit and two peripheral imine coordination sites was effectively employed in controlled/“living” radical polymerization of MMA at 90°C in toluene as solvent, Cu^IBr as catalyst, and ethyl‐2‐bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) as initiator resulting in well‐defined polymers with polydispersities M_w/M_n ≤ 1.23. The rate of polymerization follows first‐order kinetics, k_app = 3.4 × 10^?5 s^?1, indicating the presence of low radical concentration ([P*] ≤ 10^?8) throughout the reaction. The polymerization rate attains a maximum at a ligand‐to‐metal ratio of 2:1 in toluene at 90°C. The solvent concentration (v/v, with respect to monomer) has a significant effect on the polymerization kinetics. The polymerization is faster in polar solvents like, diphenylether, and anisole, as compared to toluene. Increasing the monomer concentration in toluene resulted in a better control of polymerization. The molecular weights (M_n,SEC) increased linearly with conversion and were found to be higher than predicted molecular (M_n,Cal). However, the polydispersity remained narrow, i.e., ≤1.23. The initiator efficiency at lower monomer concentration approaches a value of 0.7 in 110 min as compared to 0.5 in 330 min at higher monomer concentration. The aging of the copper salt complexed with BPIEP had a beneficial effect and resulted in polymers with narrow polydispersitities and higher conversion. PMMA obtained at room temperature in toluene (33%, v/v) gave PDI of 1.22 (M_n = 8500) in 48 h whereas, at 50°C the PDI is 1.18 (M_n = 10,300), which is achieved in 23 h. The plot of lnk_app versus 1/T gave an apparent activation energy of polymerization as (ΔE^≠_app) 58.29 KJ/mol and enthalpy of equilibrium (ΔH⁰_eq) to 28.8 KJ/mol. Reverse ATRP of MMA was successfully performed using AIBN in bulk as well as solution. The controlled nature of the polymerization reaction was established through kinetic studies and chain extension experiments. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4996–5008, 2005     

Single electron transfer‐living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in fluoroalcohol: Dual control over molecular weight and tacticity

The Cu(0)‐mediated single electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) as an initiator with Cu(0)/N,N,N′,N′′,N′′‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as a catalyst system in 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol (HFIP) was studied. The polymerization showed some living features: the measured number‐average molecular weight (M_n,GPC) increased with monomer conversion and produced polymers with relatively low polydispersities. The increase of HFIP concentration improved the controllability over the polymerization with increased initiation efficiency and lowered polydispersity values. ¹H NMR, MALDI‐TOF‐MS spectra, and chain extension reaction confirmed that the resultant polymer was end‐capped by EBiB species, and the polymer can be reactivated for chain extension. In contrast, in the cases of dimethyl sulfoxide or N,N‐dimethylformamide as reaction solvent, the polymerizations were uncontrolled. The different effects of the solvents on the polymerization indicated that the mechanism of SET‐LRP differed from that of atom transfer radical polymerization. Moreover, HFIP also facilitated the polymerization with control over stereoregularity of the polymers. Higher concentration of HFIP and lower reaction temperature produced higher syndiotactic ratio. The syndiotactic ratio can be reached to about 0.77 at 1/1.5 (v/v) of MMA/HFIP at ?18 °C. In conclusion, using HFIP as SET‐LRP solvent, the dual control over the molecular weight and tacticity of PMMA was realized. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6316–6327, 2009     

Synthesis of low‐polydispersity poly(N‐ethylmethylacrylamide) by controlled radical polymerizations and their thermal phase transition behavior

Controlled radical polymerizations of N‐ethylmethylacrylamide (EMA) by atom transfer radical polymerization and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer processes were investigated in detail for the first time, employing complementary characterization techniques including gel permeation chromatography, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. In both cases, relatively good control of the polymerization of EMA was achieved, as revealed by the linear evolution of molecular weights with monomer conversions and the low polydispersity of poly(N‐ethylmethylacrylamide) (PEMA). The thermal phase transitions of well‐defined PEMA homopolymers with polydispersities less than 1.2 and degrees of polymerization up to 320 in aqueous solution were determined by temperature‐dependent turbidity measurements. The obtained cloud points (CPs) vary in the range of 58–68 °C, exhibiting inverse molecular weight and polymer concentration dependences. Moreover, the presence of a carboxyl group instead of an alkyl one at the PEMA chain end can elevate its CP by ～3–4 °C. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 60–69, 2008     

First Nitroxide‐Mediated Controlled/Living Free Radical Polymerization in an Ionic Liquid

Summary: The controlled/living radical polymerizations of methyl acrylate in 50% v/v of an ionic liquid initiated by the alkoxyamine generated in situ from 4‐oxo‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyl‐N‐oxyl (4‐oxo‐TEMPO) and 2,2′‐azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) at 140–155 °C are reported. The number‐average molecular weights increased linearly with conversion, and polydispersity indices are approximately 1.4 in the best case. The rates of polymerization were greater than in anisole, and similar to the rate of spontaneous polymerization in the ionic liquid.

(filled symbols) and (open symbols) vs. conversion for the MA polymerization in the presence of [4‐oxo‐TEMPO]/[AIBN] (2.8:1) in 50% v/v anisole with 0.03 M AIBN (squares) and 50% v/v [hmim][PF₆] with 0.03 M AIBN (circles), and 0.06 M AIBN (triangles).     

Air‐stable and recoverable catalyst for copper‐catalyzed controlled/living radical polymerization of styrene; In situ generation of Cu(I) species via electron transfer reaction

Copper‐catalyzed controlled/living radical polymerization (LRP) of styrene (St) was conducted using the silica gel‐supported CuCl₂/N,N,N′,N′,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (SG‐CuCl₂/PMDETA) complex as catalyst at 110 °C in the presence of a definite amount of air. This novel approach is based on in situ generation and regeneration of Cu(I) via electron transfer reaction between phenols and Cu(II). Sodium phenoxide or p‐methoxyphenol was used as a reducing agent of Cu(II) complexes in LRP. The number–average molecular weight, M_n,GPC, increases linearly with monomer conversion and agrees well with the theoretical values up to 85% conversion The molecular weight distribution, M_w/M_n, decreases as the conversion increases and reaches values below 1.2. The catalyst was recovered in aerobic condition and reused in copper‐catalyzed LRP of St. For the second run, the number–average molecular weights increased with monomer conversion and the polydispersities decreased as the polymerization proceeded and reached to the value <1.3 at 81% conversion. The recycled catalyst retained 90% of its original activity in the subsequent polymerization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 77–87, 2006     

SET–LRP of N‐isopropylacrylamide in the presence of chain transfer agent

In this study, single electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET–LRP) of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) in the presence of 2‐mercaptoethylamine chain transfer agent (CTA) was carried out by Cu(0) generated in situ from the disproportionation of CuBr/2,2′‐bipyridine (2,2′‐bpy) in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) at 90 °C. Analysis of polymerization kinetics in the presence of CTA showed that the premature termination of growing polymer chains leads to retardation. The apparent rate constant of polymerization (k) decreased from 4.49 × 10^?4 to 2.59 × 10^?4 min^?1 with increasing CTA concentration. The initiator efficiency (I_eff) and the chain transfer constant (C_s) were found to be 0.524 and 0.286, respectively. The molecular weights of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAM)] produced were significantly higher than the predicted values, and the polydispersities were less than 1.22. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Limitations of cyclodextrin‐mediated RAFT homopolymerization and block copolymer formation

The design and synthesis of a new hydrophobic monomer, that is, 4‐(tert‐butyl)phenyl 6‐acrylamidohexanoate (TBP‐AA‐HO) and its ability to form supramolecular host/guest complexes with β‐cyclodextrin (CD) is described. The aqueous CD‐mediated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization affords molecular masses up to 8600 g mol^?1 with polydispersities between 1.2 and 1.4. The surprisingly low molecular weights for higher monomer/chain transfer agent (CTA) ratios are investigated by comparing results obtained from free radical and RAFT radical polymerization in aqueous and organic media. The results indicate a steric hindrance caused by attached CD molecules on the growing polymer chain leading to stagnation of the polymerization process due to a restricted accessibility of the reactive chain end. This hypothesis is supported by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the CD‐mediated synthesis of amphiphilic diblock copolymers in variable aqueous media is described. Hydrophilic poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) macro‐CTAs with different molecular weights are used to polymerize TBP‐AA‐HO at 50 °C. The diblock copolymers are analyzed by ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. The results confirm the polymer structure and reveal similar limitations of chain growth as observed for the CD‐mediated homopolymerization with a limit of 7000 g mol^?1 for efficient chain extension. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2504–2517     

Synthesis of linear and starlike polymers from poly(propylene glycol) methacrylate using controlled radical polymerization

The copper‐catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of poly(propylene glycol) methacrylate (PPGM) in solution to produce linear and starlike polymers is reported, using methylethyl ketone as the solvent and a temperature of 80 °C. The ATRP system used was efficient for polymerization of the functionalized monomer without protecting hydroxyl end groups of monomer. The polymerizations were consistent with “living” or controlled processes, as revealed by the linear evolution of molecular weight with conversion. Increasing the [M]₀:[I]₀ ratio resulted in increasing molecular weights, whereas the polydispersity indices remained low (M_w/M_n < 1.4) even at high conversion. Decreasing the [CuBr]₀:[I]₀ ratio resulted in lower conversions, slightly larger polydispersities, and decreased molecular weights, likely resulting from a lower initiation efficiency. Polymers were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR; molecular weights of polymers with low degrees of polymerization were estimated by end‐group analysis from ¹³C NMR spectra obtained using distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer and the gated decoupling techniques. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 334–343, 2002     

Synthesis of triblock copolymers based on two isomer acrylate monomers by atom transfer radical polymerization

The syntheses of triblock copolymers by the atom transfer radical polymerization of tert‐butyl and iso‐butyl acrylates as inner blocks with cyclohexyl methacrylate as outer blocks are reported. The living behavior and blocking efficiency of these polymerizations were investigated in each case. The use of difunctional macroinitiators led to ABA triblock copolymers with narrow polydispersities and controlled number‐average molecular weights. These copolymers were prepared from bromo‐terminated macroinitiators of poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) and poly(iso‐butyl acrylate), with copper chloride/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as the catalytic system, at 40 °C in 50% (v/v) toluene solutions. The block copolymers were characterized with size exclusion chromatography and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements were performed to reveal the phase segregation. The glass transition of the inner block was not clearly detected, with the exception of the copolymer synthesized with the longest poly(iso‐butyl acrylate) macroinitiator length. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4828–4837, 2005     

Preparation and characterization of dendrimer-star PNIPAAM using dithiobenzoate-terminated PPI dendrimer via RAFT polymerization

Two dendritic reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) agents with 8 and 16 terminal dithiobenzoate (DTB) groups on the surface of poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimers (generation 2.0 and 3.0, respectively) were successively prepared, and they were used in the RAFT polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM). The polymerization kinetics was confirmed to pseudo-first-order behavior. The ¹H NMR and GPC analyses show that the dendrimer-star den (NIPAAM)_x (x = 8 or 16) prepared by RAFT method has well-defined structure, controlled molecular weight and low polydispersities (PDI < 1.3). The aqueous solution prepared from dendrimer-star PNIPAAM showed reversible changes in optical properties: transparent below a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and opaque above the LCST.     

Cyclometalated 2‐phenylpyridine complex [RuII(o‐C6H4‐py)(MeCN)4]PF6 as a tunable catalyst for living radical polymerization

The cyclometalated complex [Ru^II(o‐C₆H₄‐py)(MeCN)₄]PF₆ ( 1 ) with a σ‐Ru? C bond and four substitutionally labile acetonitrile ligands mediates radical polymerization of different vinyl monomers, viz. n‐butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and styrene, initiated by three alkyl bromides: ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate, methyl 2‐bromopropionate, and 1‐phenylethyl bromide. The polymerization requires the presence of Al(OiPr)₃ and occurs uncontrollably as a conventional radical process. The variation of the molar ratio of the components of the reaction mixture, such as initiator, Al(OiPr)₃ and catalyst, affected the polymerization rates and the molecular weights but did not improve the control. A certain level of control has been achieved by adding 0.5 eq of SnCl₂ as a reducing agent. Tin(II) chloride decreased the rate of polymerization and simultaneously the molecular weights became conversion‐dependent and the polydispersities were also narrowed. Remarkably, the level of control was radically improved in the presence of excess of the poorly soluble catalyst ( 1 ), when the added amount of ( 1 ) was not soluble any more, i.e., under heterogeneous conditions, the system became adjustable and the living polymerization of all three monomers was finally achieved. Possible mechanisms of the ( 1 )‐catalyzed polymerization are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4193–4204, 2008     

Homogeneous Solution Reverse Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

A homogeneous reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (RATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was successfully carried out in N, N-dimethylformamide(DMF) (25%, v/v) at 69°C, using an initiating system azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)/CuBr₂/N, N, N′, N″, N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA). The kinetics of homogeneous solution polymerizations showed linear first-order rate plots, indicating a constant number of growing species throughout the polymerization as well as a negligible contribution of termination or transfer reactions; a linear increase of the number-average molecular weight with conversion, and relatively low polydispersities, but low initiator efficiency. The dependence of the rate of polymerization on the concentrations of initiator, catalyst, ligand and temperature were presented.     

Controlled polymerization of (meth)acrylamides by atom transfer radical polymerization

Controlled polymerization of (meth)acrylamides was achieved by ATRP using the initiating system methyl 2‐chloropropionate/CuCl/tris(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)amine. Linear increase of molecular weights with conversion and low polydispersity (M_w/M_n < 1.2) were obtained in toluene, at room temperature, when N,N‐dimethylacrylamide was used as a monomer. However, the polymerization reached limited conversion, which could be enhanced by increasing the catalyst/initiator ratio. The limited conversion is not due to the loss of the active chains, but rather to the loss of activity of the catalytic system.     

Effects of hydration and hydrophilicity on Na‐Clay‐supported aqueous‐phase catalysis for atom transfer radical polymerization

Hydrated sodium montmorillonite (Na‐clay) has been used as a catalyst support for the heterogeneous atom transfer radical polymerization of benzyl methacrylate in the presence of various concentrations of water, reducing agent, and CuBr₂ in anisole at ambient temperature. The polymerization was promoted via reduction of Cu^II to Cu^I through the addition of sodium ascorbate (NaAsc) as a reducing agent in aqueous solution. The polymerizaton proceeded in a controlled manner and produced poly(benzyl methacylate) with moderately narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) when performed under optimum conditions of hydration (10 wt % ≤ H₂O/Na‐clay ≤ 21 wt %) and reducing agent (0.15 ≤ [NaAsc]/[I] ≤ 0.23). The polymerization was uncontrolled if hydration and NaAsc exceed above their optimum range of concentrations. Apparent rate of the polymerization (k_app) increased in the presence of decane–anisole (1/3, v/v) mixture solvent. Selective adsorption of decane at the interfaces of the hydrated clay was attributed for the rate enhancement due to increased polymer and hydrophobic interface interaction. The polymerization progressed in a controlled manner as confirmed by the first‐order time‐conversion plot, linear increase in molecular weights, and moderately narrow MWDs over conversion. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Preparation of block copolymers of polystyrene and poly (t‐butyl acrylate) of various molecular weights and architectures by atom transfer radical polymerization

Block copolymers of polystyrene and poly(t‐butyl acrylate) were prepared using atom transfer radical polymerization techniques. These polymers were synthesized with a CuBr/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine catalyst system and had predictable molecular weights based on the degree of polymerization, as calculated from the initial ratio of monomer to initiator. The final polydispersities were low (1.10 < M_w /M_n < 1.3) for all the homopolymers and block copolymers. Polymers of various chain architectures were prepared, ranging from linear AB diblocks to three‐armed stars composed of AB diblocks on each arm. The key to controlled synthesis with this catalyst system was the choice of the solvent, temperature, and concentrations of catalyst and deactivator. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2274–2283, 2000     

Controlled grafting of ethyl cellulose with azobenzene‐containing polymethacrylates via atom transfer radical polymerization

Graft copolymers of ethyl cellulose with azobenzene‐containing polymethacrylates were synthesized through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The residual hydroxyl groups on ethyl cellulose were first esterified with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide to yield 2‐bromoisobutyryloxy groups, which was then used to initiate the polymerization of 6‐[4‐(4‐methoxyphenylazo)phenoxy]hexyl methacrylate (MMAzo) in the presence of CuBr/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as catalyst and anisole as solvent. The graft copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and ¹H‐NMR. The molecular weights of the graft copolymers increased relatively to the macroinitiator, and the polydispersities were narrow. The thermal and liquid crystalline property of the graft copolymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and polarizing optical microscope (POM). Photoresponsive property was studied under the irradiation of UV–vis light in THF solution. The graft copolymers have potential applications, including sensors and optical materials. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1653–1660, 2007     

Effect of variation of [PMDETA]0/[Cu(I)Br]0 ratio on atom transfer radical polymerization of n‐butyl acrylate

A kinetic study was conducted to examine the effect of varying the ratio of ligand to transition metal in a Cu(I)Br/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) catalyst system for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of n‐butyl acrylate (nBA) using methyl 2‐bromopropionate as the initiator. Experimental molecular weights were higher than theoretical when low molecular weight polymers were targeted at low ratios of [PMDETA]₀/[Cu(I)Br]₀ (< 1), indicating inefficient initiation/deactivation. A downward curvature in the plot of M_n versus conversion was observed at high monomer conversion when targeting high molecular weight polymers. This deviation became more significant when an excess of ligand was used, indicating a contribution of chain transfer to ligand. The maximum rate of polymerization was obtained at [PMDETA]₀/[Cu(I)Br]₀ ≈ 0.5 for bulk ATRP of nBA; however for polymerization in the presence of 10 vol% DMF, the maximum appeared at the ratio ≈ 1:1. Addition of acetone or DMF improved solubility of Cu(II) complex, which consequently improved the level of control over the polymerization at low ratios of [PMDETA]₀/[Cu(I)Br]₀, but also reduced the reaction rate. The polymerization rate increased with temperature, but at the expense of increased polydispersities. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3285–3292, 2004     

Stereospecific and molecular weight‐controlled polymerization of 1,3‐butadiene with Co(acac)3‐MAO catalyst

The polymerization of butadiene (Bd) with Co(acac)₃ in combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO) was investigated. The polymerization of Bd with Co(acac)₃‐MAO catalysts proceeded to give cis‐1,4 polymers (94 – 97%) bearing high molecular weights (40 × 10⁴) with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w's/M_n's). The molecular weight of the polymers increased linearly with the polymer yield, and the line passed through an original point. The polydispersities of the polymers kept almost constant during reaction time. This indicates that the microstructure and molecular weight of the polymers can be controlled in the polymerization of Bd with the Co(acac)₃‐MAO catalyst. The effects of reaction temperature, Bd concentration, and the MAO/Co molar ratio on the cis‐1,4 microstructure and high molecular weight polymer in the polymerization of Bd with Co(acac)₃‐MAO catalyst were observed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2793–2798, 2001