Acrylonitrile Copolymers Using Cobalt Acetylacetonate Triethylaluminum Initiator System. IV. Copolymerization with Styrene

The copolymerization of acrylonitrile with styrene was studied using homogeneous Ziegler-Natta initiator containing cobalt acetylacetonate and triethylaluminum in benzene at 50°C. The overall rate of polymerization shows an interesting dependence on triethylaluminum, monomer, and initiator concentrations. The overall activation energy for the polymerization was found to be 10 kcal/mol. The polymerization was susceptible to inhibition by added hydroquinone. These observations are explained based on a mechanism wherein acrylonitrile competes for complexation with both the catalyst sites and the Lewis acid. The catalyst sites appear to possess both coordinate anionic and free radical characteristics.     

Polymerization of ethylene catalyzed by diethylaluminum chloride and titanium (III) acetylacetonate

Catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene were prepared from titanium (III) acetylacetonate and diethylaluminum chloride. Titanium (III) acetylacetonate is of interest because it is soluble in hydrocarbon solvents used as polymerization media. As its oxidation product oxobisacetylacetonatotitanium (IV) is also hydrocarbon-soluble, this system provides a vehicle for studying the effects of a change in valence on catalyst activity without an accompanying change of state, as occurs with titanium halides. Relatively high molar ratios (>20:1) of aluminum alkyl to titanium compound were required to give active catalysts. Precipitates generally formed in the catalyst mixtures, although dilute catalyst solutions in which no precipitate was visible still initiated polymerization. Catalyst mixtures were observed to undergo certain changes on standing. Light-scattering studies indicated an increase in catalyst particle size, and a gas identified as ethane was evolved. These changes were accompanied by a reduction in activity of the catalyst. Parallel polymerization tests were run for a comparison of catalysts prepared from titanium(III) acetylacetonate and catalysts prepared from oxobisacetylacetonatotitanium(IV). There was essentially no difference in yield or properties of polymer prepared using the two catalyst systems. The evidence suggests that both the trivalent and tetravalent titanium compounds yield the same catalytic intermediate when reacting with diethylaluminum chloride.     

Free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in presence of the Cr(C5H7O2)3–Al(i-C4H9)3 catalyst system

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate has been studied with the chromium acetylacetonate–triisobutyl aluminum catalyst system in benzene medium at 40°C. These studies have been carried out at an Al/Cr ratio of 12 to compare the behavior with the previously studied chromium acetyl acetonate–triethyl aluminum catalyst system. The enhanced yield and gelling of polymer suggests a free-radical mechanism of polymerization. Further, the kinetics of polymerization and the heterotactic structure of polymer as determined by NMR examination have led to confirmation of the freeradical mechanism of polymerization of methyl methacrylate by an excess of triisobutylaluminum in the presence of catalyst complex.     

Mechanism of stereoregular polymerization of butadiene by homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts. I. Effects of the species of transition metals

Butadiene was polymerized by catalysts of the type: metal acetylacetonate (metal: Ti to Ni in the periodic table)–triethylaluminum–aluminum halide, with various ratios of triethylaluminum to aluminum halide. The minimum cis content was observed with vanadium catalyst in all cases, while the minimum polymer yields were observed with the iron and the manganese catalysts. These transition metal effects are discussed in terms of the crystal field theory, and it is suggested that the electrostatic interaction between the nearly nonbonding electrons of transition metal atom and a butadiene molecule or a growing end of the polymeric chain plays an important role in the stereoregular polymerization of butadiene by homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts.     

Isoprene polymerization with cerium(III) acetylacetonate–diethylaluminum chloride in toluene: Effects of water concentration

Isoprene has been polymerized in toluene using a cerium(III) acetylacetonate–diethylaluminum chloride catalyst. The microstructure of obtained polyisoprene is predominantly trans-1,4 structure. For this system the effects of water concentration on the conversion of isoprene to polymer, the microstructure and the molecular weight of polyisoprene have been examined. The conversion at a given polymerization time has a maximum at [H₂O]/[DEAC] ratio of 1:0–1.1. The amounts of trans-1,4 structure and the viscosity average molecular weights of polyisoprene are nearly independent of the water concentration. Although the conversion increases with the concentration of catalyst, the trans-1,4 content is not affected by the catalyst concentration and the molecular weight of polyisoprene decreases slightly with increasing catalyst concentration.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Chromium-Based Catalysts for Ethylene-1-hexene Copolymers Preparation via In-Situ Polymerization of Ethylene

The tandem catalysis system including the trimerization catalyst of CrCl₃/SNS (SNS = bis-(2-pentylsulfanyl-ethyl)-amine) (Cat 1) and the copolymerization catalyst Cat 2 of Cr/SiO₂ (Grace 643) has been prepared and used to the synthesis of branched polyethylene. The optimum polymerization conditions were found to be as follows: chromium concentration 0.2 wt %, ethylene pressure 23 bar, solvent hexane, polymerization temperature 90°C, co-catalyst triethylaluminum. The optimally prepared polyethylene was characterized thermally and morphologically. Appearance of α and γ hydrogens in ethylene-1-hexene copolymer confirms the presence of branches in polyethylene backbone.     

Electron spin resonance studies on Ziegler-Natta type catalyst systems

Electron spin resonance spectra of Ziegler-Natta type catalyst systems (titanium trichloride and alkyl aluminums) have been studied. When triethylaluminum was added to titanium trichloride, an absorption with a g value of 1.96 was observed from the solid phase of the system. The number of spins of this signal is equal to that of the active centers for propylene polymerization. The solid phase from the mixture of titanium trichloride and diethylaluminum chloride also gives the same signal, which suggests the identity of the action of two alkyl aluminums on titanium trichloride surface. The signals obtained from the liquid phase of the both systems are all ascribed to the reaction products of the reaction of alkyl aluminum with titanium tetrachloride occluded in solid.     

单茂钛化合物/MAO/AlR_3均相催化体系合成sPS与aPP研究

先考察部分水解三甲基铝（ＴＭＡ）制备固体改性甲基铝氧烷（ｍ ＭＡＯ）时，反应物Ｈ２Ｏ和ＴＭＡ的摩尔比对固体产物ｍ ＭＡＯ中ＴＭＡ含量的影响；然后考察不同的钛化合物特别是茂钛化合物（ＬｎＴｉＸｎ′，ｎ＝１，２，ｎ′＝２，３）和ｍ ＭＡＯ组成的均相催化体系分别进行苯乙烯间规聚合和丙烯无规聚合的效果作比较．在此基础上分析以茂基三正丙氧基钛［ＣｐＴｉ（ＯＰｒｎ）３］为主催化剂，不同ＴＭＡ含量的ｍ ＭＡＯ为助催化剂，及外加各种烷基铝（ＡｌＲ３）所组成的催化体系中钛的氧化数，同时对苯乙烯间规聚合和丙烯无规聚合进行比较研究，从中发现活性中心钛的氧化数以Ｔｉ（Ⅲ）为主时有利于苯乙烯间规聚合，不利于丙烯无规聚合；而氧化数以Ｔｉ（Ⅳ）为主时则对丙烯无规聚合有利．苯乙烯间规聚合时，外加烷基铝可节省ＭＡＯ用量．     

Some new initiators and inhibitors in vinyl polymerization

This work examines some discrepancies between claimed effects in polymerization of certain metal acetylacetonates. Cupric acetylacetonate inhibits the thermal polymerization of styrene but acts only as a retarder in the sensitized polymerization of styrene and in the thermal polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Aluminium acetylacetonate initiates weakly the polymerization of styrene, but ferric acetylacetonate does not influence the rates of polymerization of the above mentioned monomers.     

Comparison of Syndiotactic Polystyrene Morphology Obtained Via Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Polymerization with Metallocene Catalyst

Summary: Supported catalyst system for the slurry phase polymerization of styrene in toluene was prepared by the immobilization of 2-methylindenyltrichlorotitanium(2-MeIndTiCl₃) on silica and activation of this catalyst was performed by methylaluminoxane(MAO) in polymerization media. Homogeneous polymerization of styrene with 2-methylindenyltrichlorotitanium activated by MAO was performed in toluene. The morphology of obtained syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) via heterogeneous and homhgeneous catalyst system was compared. Polymerization of styrene by homogeneous catalyst lead to formation of gel and resultant polymers presented a compact and dense texture while the global gelation do not occur with silica supported catalyst at different Ti/SiO₂ mol ratios and sPS was obtained as separated particles. Unlike to the homogeneous catalyst, obtained polymers showed a porous texture. Highly porous texture of sPS was obtained with Ti/SiO₂ = 0.5% mol ratio.     

Free-radical polymerizations initiated by triethylaluminum–cuprous chloride mixtures

Methyl methacrylate was polymerized by triethylaluminum—cuprous chloride catalyst. A study of the polymerization kinetics indicated that the overall rate was represented by the equation, R_p = K[AlEt₃] [CuCl]^½ [M]². The overall activation energy was 16.5 kcal/mole. From ESR measurement and the results of copolymerization of methyl methacrylate with styrene, it was suggested that the catalytic system has the character of a radical initiator. A polymerization scheme was also proposed.     

RING OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF PROPYLENE SULFIDE BY RARE EARTH COORDINATION CATALYSTS*

Ring opening polymerization of propylene sulfide using rare earth coordination catalysts has been investigated for the first time. It has been found that trinary rare earth coordination catslysts composed of rare earth compounds of phosphonate, naphthenate or acetylacetonate, trialkyl sluminum and water are effective catalysts for the polymerization of propylene sulfide. The polymerization in toluene is a homogeneous reaction. High molecular weight as high as several million poly(propylene sulfide) with high yield can be prepared by these catalysts. Kinetic studies showed that the polymerization rate is of first order with respect to both monomer concentration and catalyst concentration. The activation energy of the polymerization reaction is 61.4 k fJ/mol. The structure of the polymers so obtained has also been characterized by ~(13)C NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, gel permeation chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry.     

Heterogeneous and homogeneous hydrogenation of styrene and stilbene chromium tricarbonyl complexes

Heterogeneous hydrogenation of the styrene and stilbene chromium tricarbonyl complexes by molecular hydrogen on skeletal nickel and palladium on carbon as catalysts was studied. As compared to styrene and stilbene, their arene chromium tricarbonyl analogs are hydrogenated considerably more slowly, which is related, most likely, to strong adsorption of the π-complexes on the catalyst surface. For the homogeneous hydrogenation of these complexes using a H₂PtCl₆-SnCl₂-LiBr system, styrene and η⁶-styrene chromium tricarbonyl are reduced with a high rate, whereas stilbene and its chromium tricarbonyl complex are hydrogenated very slowly. A possibility of reduction of the unsaturated arene chromium tricarbonyl complexes by sodium borohydride in the presence of cobalt(II) chloride as a catalyst was shown. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 44–47, January, 2007.     

Stereospecific polymerization of butadiene in the presence of isobutylene

The polymerization of isobutylene–butadiene monomer mixtures by a cobalt-containing catalytic system (cobaltous acetylacetonate–diethylaluminum chloride–water) yields a homopolymer mixture consisting of polyisobutylene and polybutadiene. It is assumed that the polymerization of both monomers proceeds according essentially identical reaction mechanisms, i.e., isobutylene polymerizes cationically and butadiene follows a coordination-cationic mechanism.     

Anionic High Impact Polystyrene: A New Process for Low Residual and Low Cost HIPS

BASF has developed a new process for the manufacturing of High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) via an anionic route: the so-called A-HIPS process. The driving forces were the development of a product with a low content of residuals and improved cost performance compared to the radical state of the art HIPS. The production of A-HIPS includes the synthesis of the rubber, a styrene-butadiene block copolymer. To overcome the main challenges of anionic polymerization such as reactivity control, solvent purity and initiator costs, BASF has developed its own proprietary technology, the Retarded Anionic Polymerization (R.A.P.) which allows styrene polymerization to 100% conversion under similar reaction conditions as the radical polymerization. A new low cost anionic initiator system (BuLi-free), based on sodium hydride and triethylaluminum, has been developed for perfect reactivity control over a broad temperature and concentration range even up to bulk conditions.     

Vanadium and Chromium Catalysts for Polymerization of Ethylene

In the present progress report literature data concerning homogeneous catalyst systems based on vanadium and chromium are reviewed and complemented by a combined study of the magnetic properties and the polymerization activity of such systems. The results show that vanadium forms active species as V (III ) and as V (II ), but chromium only as Cr (II ); models are suggested for the polymerization process. — A comparison with heterogeneous systems (Phillips catalyst) allows the establishment of some general principles concerning the activity of the catalyst and the properties of the polymers.     

Isospecific copolymerization of styrene and a styrene‐terminated polyisoprene macromonomer with the Ni(acac)2/MAO catalyst

The copolymerization of styrene (St) with a styrene‐terminated polyisoprene macromonomer (SIPM) by a nickel(II) acetylacetonate [Ni(acac)₂] catalyst in combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO) was investigated. A SIPM with a high terminal degree of functionalization and a narrow molecular weight distribution was used for the copolymerization of St. The copolymerization proceeded easily to give a high molecular weight graft copolymer. After fractionation of the resulting copolymer with methyl ethyl ketone, the insoluble part had highly isotactic polystyrene in the main chain and polyisoprene in the side chain. Lowering the MAO/Ni molar ratio and the polymerization temperature were favorable to producing isospecific active sites. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1241–1246, 2000     

A chromium catalyst for the polymerization of ethylene as a homogeneous model for the phillips catalyst

A structurally characterized cationic chromium(III) alkyl featuring a bulky nacnac ligand catalyzes the polymerization of ethylene as well as the copolymerization of ethylene with alpha-olefins. This well-characterized homogeneous catalyst constitutes a structural as well as functional model of the widely used heterogeneous Phillips olefin polymerization catalyst.     

Polymerization Mechanism of Vinyl Chloride with Trialkylaluminum-Lewis Base Catalyst and Thermal Stability of Poly(vinyl Chloride)

The mechanism of vinyl chloride polymerization by the tri-ethylaluminum-Lewis base-carbon tetrachloride catalyst system and the thermal stability of the resulting polymer were investigated. When the Lewis base is multidentate, the resultant complex with triethylaluminum shows significantly high catalytic activity for radical polymerization of vinyl chloride in the presence of carbon tetrachloride to give a white powder with high molecular weight. Carbon tetrachloride accelerates the rate of polymerization and participates in an initiating process rather than in a propagating step. The thermal stability of the polymer prepared with this catalyst system is much superior to that of commercial polyvinyl chloride), although the numbers of the double bonds in a chain end and of the head-to-head linkage are similar in both samples, suggesting that the thermally unstable structures of the former react with triethylaluminum to give the thermally stable structure on the polymerization process.     

Synthesis and morphology of polyethylene‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate) through the combination of metallocene catalysis with living radical polymerization

Polyethylene‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PE‐b‐PMMA) was successfully synthesized through the combination of metallocene catalysis with living radical polymerization. Terminally hydroxylated polyethylene, prepared by ethylene/allyl alcohol copolymerization with a specific zirconium metallocene/methylaluminoxane/triethylaluminum catalyst system, was treated with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide to produce terminally esterified polyethylene (PE‐Br). With the resulting PE‐Br as an initiator for transition‐metal‐mediated living radical polymerization, methyl methacrylate polymerization was subsequently performed with CuBr or RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ as a catalyst. Then, PE‐b‐PMMA block copolymers of different poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) contents were prepared. Transmission electron microscopy of the obtained block copolymers revealed unique morphological features that depended on the content of the PMMA segment. The block copolymer possessing 75 wt % PMMA contained 50–100‐nm spherical polyethylene lamellae uniformly dispersed in the PMMA matrix. Moreover, the PE‐b‐PMMA block copolymers effectively compatibilized homopolyethylene and homo‐PMMA at a nanometer level. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3965–3973, 2003