Polymer-supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst for the polymerization of isoprene

A polymer-supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst, polystyrene-TiCl₄AlEt₂Cl (PS–TiCl₄AlEt₂Cl), was synthesized by reaction of polystyrene–TiCl₄ complex (PS–TiCl₄) with AlEt₂Cl. This catalyst showed the same, or lightly greater catalytic activity to the unsupported Ziegler–Natta catalyst for polymerization of isoprene. It also has much greater storability, and can be reused and regenerated. Its overall catalytic yield for isoprene polymerization is ca. 20 kg polyisoprene/gTi. The polymerization rate depends on catalyst titanium concentration, mole ratio of Al/Ti, monomer concentration, and temperature. The kinetic equation of this polymerization is: R_p = kM]^0.30Ti]^0.41Al]^1.28, and the apparent activation energy ΔE_act = 14.5 kJ/Mol, and the frequency factor A_p = 33 L/(mol s). The mechanism of the isoprene polymerization catalyzed by the polymer-supported catalyst is also described. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.