Effect of reaction parameters on the solution polymerization of 1,3-butadiene using cobalt (II)-2-ethylhexoate-diethylaluminum chloride catalyst

Abstract

Polymerization of 1,3-butadiene to high-cis-1,4-polybutadiene initiated by Co(II)-2-2ethylhexoate-diethylaluminum chloride was studied as a function of catalyst/cocatalyst concentration and reaction temperature in benzene-butene-1 mixed solvent system. Molecular weight was unaffected by Co(II) concentration. However, increasing concentration of organoaluminum and temperature depressed molecular weight. The cis-content was invariant with reaction conditions. A series of olefins and diolefins were examined for their relative efficacy as chain transfer agents. Allenic hydrocarbons were superior to olefins. Dicyclopentadiene showed desirable features of a good chain transfer agent.