Monomer-Isomerization polymerization. XXVIII. Catalytic activity of transition metals and alkylaluminums in monomer-isomerization polymerization of 2-butene

Monomer-isomerization polymerization of cis-2-butene (c2B) with Ziegler–Natta catalysts was studied to find a highly active catalyst. Among the transition metals [TiCl₃, TiCl₄, VCl₃, VOCl₃, and V (acac)₃] and alkylauminums used, TiCl₃? R₃Al (R = C₂H₅ and i-C₄H₉) was found to show a high-activity for monomer-isomerization polymerization of c2B. The polymer yield was low with TiCl₄? (C₂H₅)₃Al catalyst. However, when NiCl₂ was added to this catalyst, the polymer yield increased. With TiCl₃? (C₂H₅)₃Al catalyst, the effect of the Al/Ti molar ratio was observed and a maximum for the polymer yields was obtained at molar ratios of 2.0–3.0, but the isomerization increased as a function of Al/Ti molar ratio. The valence state of titanium on active sites for isomerization and polymerization is discussed.     

Monomer-isomerization polymerization. XXVI. Formation of polyallylcyclohexane from propenylcyclohexane through monomer-isomerization polymerization with Ziegler–Natta catalysts

Monomer-isomerization polymerization of propenycyclohexane (PCH) with TiCl₃ and R_3-xAICI_x (R = C₂H₅ or i-C₄H₉, x = 1–3) catalysts was studied. It was found that PCH underwent monomer-isomerization polymerization to give a high molecular weight polymer consisting of an allylcyclohexane (ACH) repeat unit. Among the alkyaluminum cocatalysts examined, (C₂H₅)₃Al was the most effective cocatalyst for the monomer-isomerization polymerization of PCH, and a maximum for the polymerization was observed at a molar ratio of Al/Ti of about 2.0. The addition of isomerization catalysts such as nickel acetylacetonate [Ni(acac)₂] to the TiCl₃–(C₂H₅)₃Al catalyst accelerated the monomer-isomerization polymerization of PCH and gave a maximum for the polymerization at a Ni/Ti molar ratio of 0.5. PCH also undergoes monomer-isomerization copolymerization with 2-butene (2B).     

Monomer-isomerization polymerization. XXIII.. Monomer-isomerization polymerization of 5-phenyl-2-pentene with ziegler–natta catalysts

5-Phenyl-2-pentene (5Ph2P) was found to undergo monomer-isomerization polymerization with TiCl₃–R₃Al (R = C₂H₅ or i-C₄H₉, Al/Ti > 2) catalysts to give a polymer consisting of exclusively 5-phenyl-1-pentene (5Ph1P) unit. The geometric and positional isomerizations of 5Ph2P to its terminal and other internal isomers were observed to occur during polymerization. The catalyst activity of alkylaluminum examined to TiCl₃ was in the following order: (C₂H₅)₃Al > (i-C₄H₉)₃Al > (C₂H₅)₂AlCl. The rate of monomer-isomerization polymerization of 5Ph2P with TiCl₃–(C₂H₅)₃Al catalyst was influenced by both the Al/Ti molar ratio and the addition of nickel acetylacetonate [Ni(acac)₂], and the maximum rate was observed at Al/Ti = 2.0 and Ni/Ti = 0.4 in molar ratios.     

The number of active centers and propagation rate constant in ethylene polymerization with a homogeneous catalyst based on cobalt 2,6-bis[imino]pyridyl complex with methylaluminoxane activator

The number of active centers C _p and propagation rate constant k _p upon ethylene polymerization with a homogeneous catalyst based on a cobalt complex with bis[imino]pyridyl ligands (LCoCl₂, where L is 2,6-(2,6-(Me)₂C₆H₃N=CMe)₂C₅H₃N) using methylaluminoxane as an activator was determined by quenching by radioactive carbon monoxide (¹⁴CO). It was found that the drop in activity during polymerization on the above catalyst is due to the decreasing number of active centers (from 0.23 to 0.14 mol/mol Co within 15 min of polymerization); the propagation rate constant remained unchanged, 3.5 × 10³ l/(mol s) at 35°C, which is substantially lower than for a catalyst based on an iron complex with analogous bis[imino]pyridyl ligands. It follows from the data on molecular mass characteristics of the produced polymer that the homogeneous catalyst LCoCl₂/methylaluminoxane is of monocenter type, and the obtained value of the propagation rate constant reflects the true reactivity of its active centers.     

Kinetic studies on the syndiotactic propylene polymerization catalyzed over iPr(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl2

Kinetic studies on the syndiospecific polymerizations of propylene with iPr(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl₂/methylaluminoxane (MAO) were performed at 20, 40 and 70 °C and at 5 atm with various Al/Zr molar ratios. The average polymerization activity for 60 min decreased, and the time to reach a maximum activity (t_max) decreased as Al/Zr molar ratio increased. However, at Al/Zr molar ratio of 10,000, catalytic activity decreased rapidly and became the smallest among any other Al/Zr molar ratios after 20 min of polymerization. At higher Al/Zr molar ratio, methylation and cationization progress rapidly, but its polymerization rate decayed quickly due to strong interaction between MAO and metallocene, resulting in less active species. Regardless of change in polymerization temperature, t_max was maintained around 15 min. Stereoregularity was strongly dependent on the polymerization temperature, and active site isomerization was dominant source for stereoirregularity, and it was strongly influenced by polymerization temperature.     

Polymerization of ethylene with the system (C5H5)2TiEtCl-AlEtCl2

The catalytic system (C₅H₅)₂TiEtCl-AlEtCl₂ in benzene and heptane was investigated. Only two species are formed at an equimolar ratio Al: Ti, viz. active (C₅H₅)₂TiEtCl.AlEtCl₂ (I) and inactive (C₅H₅)₂TiCl.AlEtCl₂ formed from (I). The rate constant of propagation is k_p^20° = 6.4 l/mole sec and is independent of the medium. The rate of polymerization decreases with time because of valence reduction. The bimolecular law is obeyed during a run but the apparent termination constant is inversely proportional to the initial catalyst concentration. The kinetic data with different ratios Al:Ti and the dependence of the number of polymer molecules/Ti atom show that AlEtCl₂ is a termination agent and a chain transfer agent.     

Polymerization of propylene with the [ArN(CH2)3NAr]TiCl2 (Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) complex using R3Al/Ph3CB(C6F5)4 (R = Me,Et, iBu) as cocatalyst

Polymerization of propylene was conducted at 0 ∼ 150°C with the [ArN(CH₂)₃NAr]TiCl₂ (Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) complex using a mixture of trialkylaluminium (AIR₃, R = methyl, ethyl and isobutyl) and Ph₃CB(C₆F₅₎₄ as cocatalyst. When AlMe₃ or AlEt₃ was employed, atactic polypropylene (PP) was selectively produced, whereas the use of Al(ⁱBu)₃ gave a mixture of atactic and isotactic PP. The isotactic index (I.I.; weight fraction of isotactic polymer) depended strongly upon the polymerization temperature, and the highest I.I. was obtained at ca. 40°C. The ¹³C NMR analysis of the isotactic polymer suggests that the isotactic polymerization proceeds by an enantiomorphic-site mechanism. It was also demonstrated that the present catalyst shows a very high regiospecificity.     

Multicenter nature of titanium‐based Ziegler–Natta catalysts: Comparison of ethylene and propylene polymerization reactions

This article discusses the similarities and differences between active centers in propylene and ethylene polymerization reactions over the same Ti‐based catalysts. These correlations were examined by comparing the polymerization kinetics of both monomers over two different Ti‐based catalyst systems, δ‐TiCl₃‐AlEt₃ and TiCl₄/DBP/MgCl₂‐AlEt₃/PhSi(OEt)₃, by comparing the molecular weight distributions of respective polymers, in consecutive ethylene/propylene and propylene/ethylene homopolymerization reactions, and by examining the IR spectra of “impact‐resistant” polypropylene (a mixture of isotactic polypropylene and an ethylene/propylene copolymer). The results of these experiments indicated that Ti‐based catalysts contain two families of active centers. The centers of the first family, which are relatively unstable kinetically, are capable of polymerizing and copolymerizing all olefins. This family includes from four to six populations of centers that differ in their stereospecificity, average molecular weights of polymer molecules they produce, and in the values of reactivity ratios in olefin copolymerization reactions. The centers of the second family (two populations of centers) efficiently polymerize only ethylene. They do not homopolymerize α‐olefins and, if used in ethylene/α‐olefin copolymerization reactions, incorporate α‐olefin molecules very poorly. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1745–1758, 2003     

Isomerisation et polymerisation du cis-pentadiene-1,3

Cis-1,3-pentadiene can be polymerized in benzene solution by a catalyst formed from triethylaluminium and n-butylorthotitanate. When the molar ration Al/Ti is below 6, polymerization proceeds through a previous cis-trans isomerization of the diene. It has been possible to measure the two rate constants (k_t and k_p) which characterize the isomerization and the polymerization steps, respectively. The first one reaches its highest value when Al/Ti equals 2·6 and k_p is maximum when Al/Ti equals 6. Chloroform, which is a very efficient inhibitor for the polymerization, does not affect isomerization. Data are given on the microstructures of the polydienes so obtained.     

Rate constants of substantial initiation in free-radical polymerization: A new method for determination of conversion dependences

A new method for determination of the conversion dependence of substantial initiation rate constants k _i = f(C) in free-radical polymerization processes has been developed. On the basis of the known data on k _i1 = f(C) dependences for initiator I₁ and the kinetic analysis of a single trivial and simple experiment, this method allows one to calculate k _i2 = f(C) function for any other initiator I₂ under the same conditions (monomer, temperature). The reference experiment includes measurements of polymerization rates in the presence of initiator I₁ in a wide conversion range from 0 to 100% and in the presence of I₂, on the condition that the rates of initiation are equal w _i1 = w _i2, thus ensuring equal initial rates of polymerization. The above-described approach has been approved for the polymerization of styrene, methyl methacrylate, and vinyl acetate initiated with AIBN and benzoyl peroxide.     

Magnesium chloride supported high mileage catalyst for olefin polymerization. VII. Determinations of concentrations of titanium–polymer and aluminum–polymer bonds

Two methods were used in an attempt to determine by radioquenching the active site concentration, [Ti*], in a MgCl₂ supported high activity catalyst. For the reactions of tritium labelled methanol, the kinetic isotope effects were first determined: k_H/k_T = 1.63 for the total polymer and 1.67 for the isotactic polypropylene fraction. Polymerizations were quenched with an excess of isotopic CH₃OH after various lengths of time, at different A/T (amount of AlEt₃ with 0.33 equivalent of methyl-p-toluate to amount of Ti in the catalyst) ratios, and temperatures. From the known specific activity of tritium in CH₃OH and radioassay of the polymer, value of the total metal polymer bond, [MPB], can be obtained. [MPB] increases linearly with polymerization time. Extrapolation to t = 0 gives [MPB]₀, which should be close to [Ti*] because chain transfer with aluminum alkyls to produce Al–P bonds is negligible during very early stage of the polymerization. The values of [MPB]₀ range from 7–30% of the total Ti; the number of MPB is nearly equally distributed in the amorphous and isotactic fractions of polypropylene in most runs. The rate of incorporation of radioactive CO into polymers produced by the MgCl₂ supported high mileage catalyst is far slower than that claimed by some investigators for TiCl₃ type catalysts. There is an initial rapid phase of incorporation of CO which lasts for about 1 hr of contact time. The subsequent rate of CO incorporation steadily declines, yet there is no constant maximum value of radioactivity even after 48 h of reaction in the absence of monomer. Radioquenching of polymerizations with CO was also performed at several temperatures and A/T ratios. In all cases, the maximum [Ti–P] was reached after 30–40 min of polymerization, whereas the maximum rates of polymerization, R_p,m, occurred within 3–10 min. In fact, the rate of polymerization decays to a small fraction of R_p,m after 30–40 min. Furthermore, this maximum value of [Ti–P] remains constant until the end of polymerization (t = 90 min). Therefore, isotopic CO is not reacting with the initially formed active sites Ti₁*, but only with those sites, Ti₂*, which predominate during the later stage of polymerization.     

The role of solvent polarity and cocatalyst structure in the cationic polymerization of 3,3-bis(chloromethyl) oxetane

In the cationic polymerization of 3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxetane induced by BF₃ the solvent polarity (toluene, methylene chloride, ethylene chloride, nitrobenzene, and nitromethane) does not influence the k_tr/k_p ratio, where k_tr stands for the rate constant of chain transfer to polymer. Increase of the overall polymerization rate is due mainly to the increase of k_i. The application of the steady-state conditions in which the slow formation of the active centers is compensated by the unimolecular chain transfer to polymer allowed the determination of k_tr/k_p ratios for several chain-transfer agents of low molecular weight. Alcohols and ethers of different basicities were used. It was established that the k_tr/k_p ratio is a linear function of ?pK_a of the chain-transfer agents.     

Epoxide polymerization—IV. Ethylene oxide polymerization using the diphenylzinc-water system in benzene at 60°

The diphenylzinc-water system was used as catalyst for ethylene oxide polymerization in benzene solution at 60°. The system is greatly influenced by the molar ratio of water to diphenylzinc. H₂O/Ph₂Zn, the maximum catalyst activity being found for a ratio of unity. Ph₂Zn alone and molar ratios of 0.25, 0.5, 1.5, 1.75 and 2.0 gave very low conversion to polymer. For a molar ratio of unity, the yield of polymer and the molecular weight increase with time. The reaction is first order with respect to monomer with k_P = 5.7 × 10^?5 sec^?1 mol^?1 l.     

Kinetic regularities of catalytic ethylene polymerization on single- and multi-site cobalt and vanadium bis(imino)pyridine complexes

The number of active centers C _p in the homogeneous complexes LCoCl₂ and LVCl₃ (L = 2,6-(2,6-R₂C₆H₃N=CMe)₂C₅H₃N; R = Me, Et, ^t Bu) and the propagation rate constants k _p have been determined by the radioactive ¹⁴CO quenching of ethylene polymerization on these complexes in the presence of the methylaluminoxane (MAO) activator. For the systems studied, a significant portion of the initial complex (up to 70%) transforms into polymerization-active centers. The catalysts based on the cobalt complexes are single-site, and the constant k _p in these systems is independent of the volume of substituent R in the ligand, being (2.4?3.5) × 10³ L mol^?1 s^?1 at 35°C. The much larger molecular weight of the polymer formed on the complex with the tert-butyl substituent in the aryl rings of the ligand compared to the product formed on the complex with the methyl substituent is due to the substantial (～11-fold) decrease in the rate constant of chain transfer to the monomer. At the early stages of the reaction (before 5 min), the vanadium complexes contain active centers of one type only, for which k _p = 2.6 × 10³ L mol^?1 s^?1 at 35°C. An increase in the polymerization time to 20 min results in the appearance, in the vanadium systems, of new, substantially less reactive centers on which high-molecular-weight polyethylene forms. The number of active centers C _p in the 2,5-tBu₂LCoCl₂ and 2,6-Et₂LVCl₃ systems with the MAO activator increases as the polymerization temperature is raised from 25 to 60°C. The activation energies of the chain propagation reaction (E _p) have been calculated. The value of E _p for complex 2,5-tBu₂LCoCl₂ is 4.5 kcal/mol. It is assumed that the so-called “dormant” centers form in ethylene polymerization on the 2,6-Et₂LVCl₃ complex, and their proportion increases with a decrease in the polymerization temperature. Probably, the anomalously high value E _p = 14.2 kcal/mol for the vanadium system is explained by the formation of these “dormant” centers.     

Synthesis of polypropylene block copolymers from brominated styrene-terminated isotactic polypropylene

Isotactic polypropylene block copolymers, isotactic-polypropylene-block-poly (methyl methacrylate) (i-PP-b-PMMA) and isotactic-polypropylene-block-polystyrene (i-PP-b-PS), were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using a brominated styrene-terminated isotactic polypropylene macroinitiator synthesized from bromination of styrene-terminated isotactic polypropylene. The styrene-terminated isotactic polypropylene can be obtained by polymerization of propylene in the presence of styrene and hydrogen chain transfer agents using a rac-Me₂Si[2-methyl-4-(1-naphyl)Ind]₂ZrCl₂ as catalyst. The molecular weights of isotactic polypropylene block copolymers were controlled by altering the amount of hydrogen used in the polymerization of propylene and the amount of monomer used in the blocking reaction. The effect of i-PP-b-PS block copolymer on PP-PS blends and that of i-PP-b-PMMA block copolymer on PP-PMMA blends were studied by scanning electron microscopy.     

Soluble magnesium–titanium catalysts for ethylene polymerization. I

A study has been made of a catalyst system comprising the heptane-soluble magnesium and titanium compounds in combination with an organoaluminum compound for ethylene polymerization at a high temperature. The productivity for ethylene polymerization of the catalyst system, n-butylethyl magnesium (BEM)-2-ethyl hexanol (C₈H₁₇OH)-tetra-n-butoxytitanium[Ti(OBu)₄]/diethyl aluminum chloride (DEAC) is higher than for MgCl₂-Cl₂-C₈H₁₇ OHTi(OBu)₄/DEAC and much higher than MgCl₂-Ti(OBu)₄/DEAC. The nature of the three different catalyst systems have been discussed in comparison with experimental data on polymerization behavior and the data of the elemental and x-ray diffraction analysis of the solid products obtained from the reactions between the catalyst components.     

Organoaluminum catalyst for polymerization reaction. Synthesis of isotactic polyacetaldehyde by AIR3–alkali metal hydroxide catalysts in situ

The catalytic behavior of binary systems derived from AIR₃ and alkali metal hydroxide in a molar ratio of 1 to 0.5 in situ for stereospecific polymerization of acetaldehyde was studied for the purpose of preparation of isotactic polyacetal. The polymer obtained can be readily stretched to a film. The polymerization proceeds slowly (in ～20 hr). The polymer yield and stereospecificity of the polymerization by AlEt₃–LiOH (1:0.5) catalyst were not significantly changed by the nature of solvent or dilution as far as studied. AlEt₃–NaOH, AlEt₃–KOH, AlEt₃–CsOH, AliBu₃–LiOH and AlMe₃–LiOH in molar ratios of 1 to 0.5 behaved similarly. AlMe₃–NaOH, AlMe₃–KOH and AliBu₃–NaOH also gave isotactic polymer of high stereoregularity but in lower yields.     

Peculiarities of Ethylene Polymerization Reactions with Heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta Catalysts: Kinetic Analysis

The previously developed kinetic scheme for olefin polymerization reactions with heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta catalysts states that the catalysts have several types of active centers which have different activities, different stabilities, produce different types of polymer materials, and respond differently to reaction conditions. In the case of ethylene polymerization reactions, each type of center exhibits an unusual chemical feature: a growing polymer chain containing one ethylene unit, Ti—C₂H₅, is unusually stable and can decompose with the formation of the Ti—H bond. This paper examines quantitative kinetic ramifications of this chemical mechanism. Modeling of the complex kinetics scheme described in the Scheme demonstrates that it correctly and quantitatively predicts three most significant peculiarities of ethylene polymerization reactions, the high reaction order with respect to the ethylene concentration, reversible poisoning with hydrogen, and activation in the presence of α‐olefins.     

Monomer-isomerization polymerization. XIII. Monomer-isomerization polymerization of 1,4-cyclohexadiene with Ziegler-Natta catalyst

1,4-Cyclohexadiene underwent monomer-isomerization polymerization to yield poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene) with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprising TiCl₄–Al(C₂H₅)₃ catalyst with Al/Ti molar ratios of 0.5–3.0 at 60°C for 96 hr. Good yields of polymer were obtained (49.5% yield at Al/Ti = 3.0; [η] = 0.04 dl/g). The infrared and NMR spectra of the polymer were identical to those of poly-(1,3-cyclohexadiene), confirming that 1,4-cyclohexadiene first isomerizes to 1,3-cyclohexadiene and then homopolymerizes to give poly-1,3-cyclohexadiene. 1,3-Cyclohexadiene polymerized without isomerization easily in the presence of TiCl₃–Al(C₂H₅)₃ catalyst at Al/Ti molar ratios of 0.5–3.0 at 60°C for 3 hr (76.3% yield at Al/Ti = 3.0; [η] = 0.06 dl/g).     

Stereospecific and asymmetric polymerization of 1-phenyldibenzosuberyl methacrylate with radical and anionic initiators

Stereospecific and asymmetric (helix-sense-selective) polymerization of 1-phenyldibenzosuberyl methacrylate (PDBSMA) was performed with radical and anionic initiators. A highly isotactic polymer having triad isotacticity greater than 97% was obtained by radical polymerization with (i-PrOCOO)₂ at 40°C. The radical polymerization of PDBSMA in (+)- and (-)-menthol gave (-)-and (+)-polymers, respectively, whose optical activity is ascribed to the prevailing one-handed helical conformation of a polymer chain. The radical copolymerization of PDBSMA with a small amount of an optically active monomer, (+)-phenyl-2-pyridyl-o-tolylmethyl methacrylate, afforded an optically active copolymer with the prevailing one-handed helical structure of PDBSMA sequences. Asymmetric anionic polymerization of PDBSMA was carried out with the complex of N, N′-diphenylethylenediamine monolithium amide and a chiral ligand, (+)-1-(2-pyrrolidinylmethyl)pyrrolidine in toluene at −78°C. The obtained polymer was highly isotactic and optically active due to nearly 100% one-handed helical structure.