New coordination catalysts based on rare earth compounds for polymerization of 1-octene

The study of rare earth coordination catalysts for polymerization of 1-octene has been successfully carried out for the first time. Some features and kinetic behavior of polymerization of 1-octene by Nd(naph)₃–AIEt₃ catalyst system in tetrachloro-methane are described. The overall polymerization activation energy E_a measured was 74.5 kJ/mol and the rate equation could be expressed as R_p = k_p [Nd] [M] (k_p = 3.21 × 10^?3 L/mol s, at 50°C). The catalytic activity of various rare earth elements in Ln (naph)₃ and ligands in NdL₃ for the polymerization was compared. A 1-octene oligomer with double bonds was obtained. It is either a white or pale yellow waxy semi-solid. Its number-average molecular weight is about 10³ and the molecular weight distribution is less than 2.