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Polymerization of Polar Monomers Using Cyclopentadienyl Complexes of the Alkaline Earth Metals
Author(s) -
Steffens Alexandra,
Schumann Herbert
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.200690056
Subject(s) - monomer , polymerization , polymer chemistry , copolymer , cyclopentadienyl complex , chemistry , polymer , catalysis , ionic polymerization , chain growth polymerization , alkyl , bulk polymerization , solution polymerization , materials science , radical polymerization , organic chemistry
Tetramethylcyclopentadienyl complexes of magnesium, calcium and strontium are efficient catalysts at −78 °C for the solution polymerization of polar monomers such as alkyl methacrylates in the presence of only small amounts of triethylaluminium as cocatalyst. The molecular mass of the resulting polymers is predictable on the monomer/catalyst ratio. The polymerization reaction follows a first order kinetics with respect to the initial catalyst concentration. Block‐copolymers are easily available by sequential dosage of the monomer. A living polymerization mechanism is proposed involving activation of the catalyst by alkylation and subsequent insertion of coordinated monomers.