Syndiotactic 1,2‐polybutadiene with Co‐CS2 catalyst system. I. Preparation, properties, and application of highly crystalline syndiotactic 1,2‐polybutadiene

Abstract Highly crystalline syndiotactic 1,2‐polybutadiene (s‐PB) having melting point (mp) up to 216°C was obtained by using a Co(acac)3‐AIEt3‐CS2 catalyst. The polymer with mp 208°C was found to have 99.7% 1,2 content and 99.6% syndiotacticity by 1H and 13C‐NMR measurements. The s‐PB can be molded by addition of a stabilizer such as 2,6‐di‐t‐butyl‐4‐hydroxymethylphenol into fiber, film, and various shaped articles. The physical properties presented in the present article include stress‐strain and dynamic mechanical behavior. The highly crystalline syndiotactic 1,2‐polybutadiene was applied to a carbon fiber and UBEPOL VCR (cis‐1,4‐polybutadiene reinforced by fibrous syndiotactic 1,2‐polybutadiene).