Heterogeneous Ziegler‐Natta Catalyst Based on Neodymium for the Stereospecific Polymerization of Butadiene

The synthesis of a series of neodymium complexes supported on modified silica is reported. In an initial step the silanol groups were masked by a Lewis acid (BCl₃, AlCl₃, TiCl₄, ZrCl₄, SnCl₄, SbCl₅, HfCl₄), and then a soluble arene complex Nd(η⁶‐C₆H₅Me)(AlCl₄)₃ formed in situ was reacted with the modified silica. The supported complexes are active and highly stereospecific for butadiene polymerization; 1,4‐cis insertion is superior by 99%. The catalyst based on a treatment of silica with BCl₃ is the most efficient.     

α-amylase production by free and immobilized Bacillus subtilis

The effect of glucose on the α-amylase production by Bacillus subtilis ATCC-21556 was studied. Initial glucose concentrations up to 20 g/L were found to be directly proportional to the specific α-amylase production in an immobilized-cell batch system, whereas a free-cell batch system presented an inversely proportional relationship with the initial glucose concentration. This might be owing to the α-amylase repression by the glucose present in the culture medium. Three hundred eighty-five percent of the specific α-amylase production with the free-cell system was produced by the immobilized-cell batch culture.