HOMOPOLYMERIZATION AND COPOLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE AND DIVINYLBENZENE BY RARE-EARTH COORDINATION CATALYSTS

Rare-earth coordination catalysts were used for the first time for the homopo-lymerization and, copolymerization of styrene (St) and divinylbenzene (DVB). Fea rtures of the polymerization of St and DVB by Nd(naph)3-Al (i-Bu)3 and Nd. (P204)3-Al(i-Bu)3 systems have been investigated. The conversion of styrene was more than 90% under the optimum conditions ([Nd] = 3 ×10-5 mol/ml; [M] = 3×10-3mol/ml, Al/Nd= 10(mole ratio), 50℃), while the catalyst system prepared by the following addition order:Nd-solvent-St-A1. With the variation of polymerization conditions and solvents, rare-earth polystyrene obtained was white or yellow powder showing atactic structure. Number-average molecular weight of PSt obtained ranges from 102 to 104. FeCl3 added to the polymerization system may suppress forr-ming yellow colour powder. DVB showed higher activity than styrene in copolymerization.