Stereospecific Polymerization of Isoprene with Nd(BH4)3(THF)3/MgBu2 as Catalyst

• DOI: 10.1002/marc.200300289
• Publication Date: 2004-04-07T17:04:31Z
• Authors: Fanny Bonnet; Marc Visseaux; Angela Pereira; Frédéric Bouyer; Denise Barbier‐Ba...
• Keywords: Isoprene; Stereospecificity; Tetrahydrofuran; Bimetallic strip; Neodymium; Stoichiometry

Abstract Summary: The neodymium trisborohydride Nd(BH 4 ) 3 (THF) (THF = tetrahydrofuran) has been used as a catalyst precursor for isoprene polymerization the first time. Associated to an excess of Al(Et) , resulting is moderately active, giving mixture cis ‐ and trans polymer. Addition stoichiometric amount MgBu 2 affords stereospecific providing ‐1,4‐polyisoprene, more than 96% regular. That dual component Nd/Mg system also shows better efficiency good control molecular weights. A structure tentatively attributed bimetallic active species, based on 1 H NMR experiments. Possible Nd/Al initiating species. image