The synthesis and the application of a neodymium based binary catalytic system for the polymerization of dienes, vinyl monomers, and lactones is reported. The proposed catalyst is composed of neodymium trichloride (NdCl3) and triethylphosphate (TEP) as the ligand. NdCl3●6H2O and TEP (molar ratio 1:3) were dissolved in toluene-ethanol mixture followed by an azeotropic distillation, which removes the crystallization water of NdCl3 and allows the self-complexation of the Nd with the phosphate ligands. The as synthesized catalyst (NdCl3●3TEP) together with the co-catalyst triisobutylaluminum (TIBA) were used in appropriate ratios with varying temperatures for the polymerization of dienes and vinyl monomers. Homopolymerization of myrcene, isoprene, vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and styrene was carried out. The catalytic system was also proven to be active for the ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. Copolymerization between dienes and diene- vinyl monomers was performed. The living nature of the catalyst for the homopolymerization of dienes was demonstrated. The characterization of the catalyst was performed by FT-IR, 1H and 31P NMR analysis. Quantification of the number of ligands was done by 31P NMR. Characterization of the polymers were carried out by 1H NMR and the molecular weights were obtained by size exclusion chromatography (SEC).

Highly active neodymium catalyst for polymerization of dienes, vinyl monomers and ring opening polymerization of lactones

251st National Meeting (2016)

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