Polymerization of styrene using novel bispyrazolylimine dinickel (II)/methylaluminoxane catalytic systems

The polymerization of styrene with a series of bispyrazolylimine dinickel (II) complexes of bis‐2‐(C₃HN₂(R₁)₂‐3,5)(C(R₂) = N(C₆H₃(CH₃)₂‐2,6)Ni₂Br₄ (complex 1 : R₁ = CH₃, R₂ = Ph; complex 2 : R₁ = CH₃, R₂ = 2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl; complex 3 : R₁ = R₂ = Ph; complex 4 : R₁ = Ph, R₂ = 2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl) in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) was studied. The influences of polymerization parameters such as polymerization temperature, Al/Ni molar ratio, reaction time, and catalyst concentration on catalytic activity and molecular weight of the polystyrene were investigated in detail. The influence of the bulkiness of the substituents on polymerization activity was also studied. All of the four catalytic systems exhibited high activity (up to 10.50 × 10⁵ gPS/(mol Ni h)) for styrene polymerization and provide polystyrene with moderate to low molecular weights (M_w = 4.76 × 10⁴–0.71 × 10⁴ g/mol) and narrower molecular weight distributions about 2. The obtained polystyrene was characterized by means of FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR techniques. The results indicated that the polystyrene was atactic polymer. The analysis of the end groups of polystyrene indicated that styrene polymerization with bispyrazolylimine dinickel complexes/MAO catalytic systems proceeded through a coordination mechanism. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

Nickel (salen) / methylaluminoxane catalyzed polymerization of norbornene

Summary Nickel (salen) in conjunction with methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyzes the polymerization of norbornene to poly (2,3-bicyclo [2.2.1] hept-2-ene) [poly (norbornene)]. Methylaluminoxane (MAO) was used as cocatalyst as such (MAO-I) and after distilling off free trimethylaluminium (MAO-II). The catalyst system was very active in chlorobenzene at room temperature. It was also found that MAO-II gave higher activity as compared to MAO-I. The samples of polynorbornene were soluble in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene. The poly (norbomene)s were characterized by intrinsic viscosity and thermal properties. Received: 4 November 1999/Revised version: 25 January 2000/Accepted: 31 January 2000     

Vinyl polymerization of norbornene with bis(imino)pyridyl nickel(II) complexes

A series of different steric hindrance nickel(II) complexes 1 – 6 bearing 2,6‐bis(imino)pyridine ligands have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of the complexes 3 – 5 were determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The coordination geometry around the nickel center of the complexes is either square pyramid for complexes 3 and 4 or trigonal bipyramid for complex 5 . All of the nickel complexes exhibit high catalytic activity for norbornene polymerization in the presence of MAO, although low activity for ethylene oligomerization and polymerization. The effects of the Al/Ni ratio, halogen, monomer concentration, temperature, and reaction time on activity of catalyst for norbornene polymerization and polymer microstructure were investigated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Polymerization of styrene using pyrazolylimine nickel (II)/methylaluminoxane catalytic systems

The polymerization of styrene with two pyrazolylimine nickel (II) complexes of (2-(C₃HN₂Me₂-3, 5)(C(Ph) = N(4-R₂C₆H₂(R₁)₂-2, 6)NiBr₂ (Complex 1 , R₁ = ⁱPr, R₂ = H; Complex 2 , R₁ = H, R₂ = NO₂)) activated by methylaluminoxane was studied. The influences of polymerization parameters such as polymerization temperature, Al/Ni molar ratio, and reaction time on catalytic activity and molecular weight of the polystyrene (PS) were investigated in detail. The electron-withdrawing of nitro group in Complex 2 could not enhance the catalytic activity for styrene polymerization; however, the molecular weights of polymers were increased. Both of the two catalytic systems exhibited high activity [up to 8.45 × 10⁵ gPS/(mol Ni h)] for styrene polymerization and provide PS with moderate to low-molecular weights (M_w = 2.21 × 10⁴∼ 5.71 × 10³ g/mol) and narrower molecular weight distributions about 2.0. The obtained PS were characterized by means of IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR techniques. The results indicated that the PS was atactic polymer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Syndiotactic polymerization of styrene with CpTiCl2(OPri)/methylaluminoxane

Summary CpTiCl₂(OPrⁱ) was a very active catalyst for syndiotactic polymerization of styrene when activated with methyl aluminoxane (MAO). The catalyst activity and syndiospecificity of CpTiCl₂(OPrⁱ)/MAO were about 10⁷ g PS / mol Ti·mol S·h and about 95% respectively, both higher than those of CpTiCl₃ / MAO.     

Vinyl polymerization of norbornene over supported nickel catalyst

A series of nickel complexes, bis(salicylideneiminato)nickel(II), were supported on spherical MgCl₂ and SiO₂. Scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersed X‐ray spectroscopy, and the BET method for surface areas measurements were utilized to examine the supporting process of the catalysts. The particle morphology of the original support is retained and replicated throughout the supported catalyst preparation and norbornene polymerization. Spherical polymer particle morphology was achieved, without reactor fouling. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 2233–2240, 2006     

Vinyl polymerization of norbornene with dinuclear diimine nickel dichloride/MAO

Vinyl‐addition polymerization of norbornene was accomplished by two novel dinuclear diimine nickel dichloride complexes in combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO). The activities were moderate. The catalyst structure, Al/Ni molar ratio, solvents, and polymerization temperature all affected the catalytic activities. The obtained polynorbornenes were characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, FTIR, DSC, WAXD, and intrinsic viscosity measurements. The vinyl‐addition polymers were amorphous but with a short‐range order and high packing density. The polynorbornenes showed glass transition temperatures (T_g) above 240°C and decomposed above 400°C. The catalyst structure and polymerization conditions have effects on the molecular weight and the microstructure of the polymers. The nickel complex with bulkier substituents in the ligand produced polynorbornene with a higher packing density and higher regularity and, therefore, with higher T_g. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 3273–3278, 2003     

Polymerization of styrene using bis(β‐ketoamino)nickel(II)/methylaluminoxane catalytic systems

Styrene (St) was polymerized in toluene solution by using bis(β‐ketoamino)nickel(II) complex as the catalyst precursor and methylaluminoxane (MAO) as the cocatalyst. The polymerization conditions, such as Al : Ni ratio, monomer concentration, reaction temperature, and polymerization time, were studied in detail. Both of the bis(β‐ketoamino)nickel(II)/MAO catalytic systems exhibited higher activity for polymerization of styrene, and polymerization gave moderate molecular weight of polystyrene with relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n < 1.6). The obtained polymer was confirmed to be atactic polystyrene by analyzing the stereo‐triad distributions mm, mr, and rr of aromatic carbon C¹ in NMR spectrum of the polymer. The mechanism of the polymerization was also discussed and a metal–carbon coordination mechanism was proposed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Copolymerization of norbornene and ethene with homogenous zirconocenes/methylaluminoxane catalysts

The norbornene/ethene copolymerization was investigated by using two C _S-symmetric ([Me₂C(Fluo)(Cp)]ZrCl₂ III, [Ph₂C(Fluo)(Cp)]ZrCl₂ IB) and two C ₂-symmetric ([Me₂Si(Ind)₂]ZrCl₂ I, [Ph₂Si(Ind)₂]ZrCl₂ II) catalysts with methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst. This investigation focussed not only on the different polymerization behavior, like catalyst activity, but also considers the material properties of the synthesized copolymers. It was found, that the C _S-symimetric catalysts are very well suitable to yield amorphous copolymers with glass transition temperatures above 180°C and molecular weights >100.000 g/mol. These copolymers could be used as potential starting materials for optical discs and fibers.     

Polymerization of norbornene using bis(β‐ketoamino)nickel(II)/MAO catalytic systems

The polymerizations of norbornene were investigated using a series of bis(β‐ketoamino)nickel(II) complexes( 1–6 ) in combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO) in toluene solution. The effects of catalyst structure, Al/Ni molar ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time on catalytic activity and molecular weight of the polynorbornene were examined in detail. The electronic effect of the substituent around the imino group in the ligand is stronger than the steric bulk one on the polymerization activities, and the activities are in the order of 1 > 2 > 4 > 5 > 6 > 3 . The obtained polynorbornenes were characterized by means of ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, FTIR, TG, and WAXD techniques. The analyses results of polymers' structures and properties indicate that the polymerization reaction of norbornene runs in vinyl‐addition polymerization mode. The obtained polynorbornene was confirmed to be vinyl‐type and atactic polymers and showed good thermostability (T_dec > 458°C) and were noncrystalline but had short‐range order. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 4172–4180, 2006     

Vinyl polymerization by metal complexes, 26. Vinyl polymerization initiated by polyvinylamine-copper(II) chelate in dimethylsulfoxide solution

The polymerization of acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate initiated by polyvinylamine-copper(II) chelate was studied in dimethylsulfoxide solution, in the presence and absence of carbon tetrachloride. For comparison, the dimeric chelate(1,3-diaminopropane-copper(II) chelate) was also chosen as an initiator. The initiation activity of the dimeric chelate was found to be higher than that of the polymeric chelate in dimethylsulfoxide solution, different from the cases in aqueous media. The dimeric chelate could initiate the polymerization of acrylonitrile effectively, even in the absence of carbon tetrachloride.     

Homopolymerization of n‐butyl methacrylate using bis(salicylaldiminate)copper(II)/ methylaluminoxane catalysts

Polymerization catalysts based on copper precursors appear particularly interesting due to the low metal cost, limited toxicity and modest sensitivity to deactivation by polar species. To date, α‐olefin and polar monomer coordination polymerization catalysed using copper catalysts has been scarcely investigated, and a good part of the literature is represented by patents. Here this research has been expanded to the study of the performances of bis(salicylaldiminate)copper(II)/methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalysts in the polymerization of n‐butyl methacrylate. The study of the catalytic activity of bis(salicylaldiminate)copper(II)/MAO systems in n‐butyl methacrylate polymerization was focused on the relationship between the catalytic behaviour and the main reaction conditions and ligand structures. The electronic and steric characteristics of the chelate ligands play an important role in the catalytic performances. The presence of electron‐withdrawing nitro groups on the chelate ligands increased the catalytic activity which reached 36 kg_polymer mol^?1 h^?1, the highest value up to now reported for copper systems in methacrylic or acrylic monomer polymerization. These performances were ascribed to copper catalysts activated by MAO: without copper precursor, working in the presence of MAO and free salicylaldimine ligand, complete inactivity was ascertained. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Olefin polymerization catalyzed by homoor heterobimetallic zirconocene complex/methylaluminoxane system

Summary Polymerization of ethylene and copolymerization of ethylene-propylene proceeded smoothly by using homometallic binuclear zirconium complex 1 or heterometallic binuclear zirconium-titanium complex 2/methylaluminoxane catalyst system. The molecular weight distributions of polymers obtained by the binuclear zirconium complexes were broader than that produced by mononuclear zirconium complex.     

Catalytic addition polymerization of norbornene and its derivatives and copolymerization of norbornene with olefins

This review summarizes the data on catalytic addition polymerization of norbornene and its derivatives catalyzed by various transition-metal complexes. Studies on the copolymerization of norbornene with α-olefins are considered. The survey mostly covers papers published in 2000–2006.     

Comparison of ethylene polymerization catalyzed over Cr(VI)/silica and Cr(II)/silica catalysts

Summary Ethylene polymerization and the morphology of produced high density polyethylene (HDPE) catalyzed over. Cr(VI)/silica and Cr(II)/silica were studied. Cr/silica catalyst with Cr loading of 1 wt % has been prepared by impregnating an aqueous solution of CrO₃ onto silica having specific surface area of 301 m²/g and pore volume of 1.64 ml/g. The rate profiles and the morphologies of polyethylene polymerized over Cr(VI) and Cr(II)/silica were different. The process of active site formation influences the rate profiles. The shape of polyethylene particles polymerized with Cr(II)/silica resembled the original shape of catalyst particles. However, Cr(VI)/silica catalyst particles were fractured inhomogeneously during the polymerization. The variation of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution at various polymerization times indicated that the formation of active sites of Cr(VI)/silica was accomplished gradually during polymerization.     

Syndiospecific oligomerization and polymerization of norbornene with titanium catalysts

Norbornene (NB) has been polymerized with TiCl₄-AlR₂Cl (R = Et, Me, iBu) at various NB/TiCl₄ molar ratio. The products obtained at low ratio (from ca. 5 to 12, depending on the mode of catalyst preparation) are a mixture of oligomers, from which it has been possible to isolate a crystalline heptamer having a 2,3-exo-disyndiotactic structure by single crystal X-ray analysis. The products obtained at higher NB/TiCl₄ ratio have a higher molecular weight (up to ca. 5000 for the soluble products) and consist of amorphous and crystalline polymers. The crystalline polymers, characterized by X-ray and ¹³C NMR, are a new type of stereoregular polynorbornene (PNB), having a 2,3-exo-disyndiotactic structure. Mechanistic aspects are examined and a precise assignment of some resonances in the ¹³C NMR spectrum of vinyl-type PNBs is reported.     

Recycling of methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalyst in ethylene polymerization with supported metallocene catalyst

The economy of the metallocene catalyst system in olefin polymerization depends more on the cost of methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalyst rather than on the catalyst cost since high ratio of cocatalyst to catalyst is required to have sufficient activity. The conditions to minimize the consumption of MAO have been studied for the ethylene polymerization with supported metallocene catalyst. By introducing the prepolymerization step, in which the supported metallocene catalyst is activated at high MAO concentration before polymerization, the MAO could be recovered after the prepolymerization and recycled repeatedly for the subsequent activation with marginal decrease in activity. No extra MAO was needed during the main polymerization. The addition of small amount of MAO or less expensive alkylaluminum at each recycle step kept the catalyst activity to the initial level. It compensates the MAO losses occurring both by the incomplete decantation of MAO solution and by the reaction with metallocene complex or impurities. As a result, the actual consumption ratio of Al/Zr in moles in commercial applications could be reduced to about 30 without sacrificing the activity. This value is significantly low considering that conventionally an Al/Zr ratio of 1,000 is required for sufficient activity. This paper is dedicated to Professor Hyun-Ku Rhee on the occasion of his retirement from Seoul National University.     

甲基铝氧烷对稀土催化体系催化异戊二烯聚合的影响

考察了甲基铝氧烷(MAO)作为助催化剂对稀土催化体系催化异戊二烯聚合的影响,结果表明MAO可极大地提高体系的催化活性,获得顺-1,4结构含量95%(质量分数)以上的聚异戊二烯,并且调节n(MAO)/n(Nd)和n(Al)/n(Nd)的值可有效地提高聚合产物的相对分子质量.     

Mono-aryloxy or mono-alkoxy zirconium complexes/methylaluminoxane catalyst system in ethylene polymerization

Summary Mono-aryloxy zirconium complexes 1–6 or mono-alkoxy zirconium complexes 7–10 were prepared and the ethylene polymerization was carried out in the presence of these complexes/methylaluminoxane. Steric factor of the aryloxy and alkoxy ligands in the complexes remarkably influenced on activity of ethylene polymerization.     

Vinyl polymerization by metal complexes. V. Effects of amines on the polymerization by copper(II) chelate and carbon tetrachloride initiating system

The polymerization of acrylonitrile was studied by the system of copper(II)-oligo(n)ethylene-(n+1)amine complex and carbon tetrachloride. Addition of amines to the initiating system accelerates the polymerization. The acceleration by these amines was found to be in the following order: prim.-amine<sec.-amine<tert.-amine<diamine<phenylenediamine. Effects of the sort of the ligands in the copper(II) chelates on the polymerization were also studied.