In situ generated half-lanthanidocene based catalysts for the controlled oligomerisation of styrene: Selectivity, block copolymerisation and chain transfer

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 48; no. 16; pp. 4609 - 4614
• Main Authors: Zinck, Philippe, Valente, Andreia, Mortreux, André, Visseaux, Marc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 27.07.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Block copolymerisation; Catalysis; Chemical Sciences; Coordination chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymer chemistry; Polymerization; Polymers; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Transfer reactions; Block copolymerisation; Polymer chemistry; Transfer reactions; Magnesium Organic compounds; Complex catalyst; Syndiotactic polymer; Transmetalation; Solution polymerization; Chain transfer; Trans stereoisomer; Isoprene copolymer; Reaction mechanism; Styrene polymer; Stereospecific polymerization; Neodymium complex; Complex catalyst oligomerization; Rare earth metal complex; Living polymer; Experimental study; Complex catalyst copolymerization; Diblock copolymer; Stereospecificity; Hapto complex; Catalyst activity; Styrene copolymer
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2007.06.014

The Cp ∗Nd(BH 4) 2(THF) 2/ n-butylethylmagnesium combination affords a controlled and syndioselective oligomerisation of styrene. Living oligostyrenes can be used as macromonomers for block copolymerisation, leading to the unprecedented synthesis of a (polystyrene)- block-(1,4- trans polyisoprene) copolymer. Reversible transmetallation between the neodymium and the magnesium atom is further established with a transfer efficiency close to 100%.