Method for catalytic polymerization of substituted acrylates

A method for polymerizing .alpha.-substituted acrylates, including the steps of

• 1) placing a catalyst in a vessel, said catalyst having the formula:
• (C.sub.5 R'.sub.4-x H.sub.x R*) A (C.sub.5 R".sub.4-y H.sub.y R"') M Q.sub.p
• where x and y represent the number of unsubstituted locations on the cyclopentadienyl ring;
• R', R", R''', and R* represent substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups having 1-30 carbon atoms, R* having a chiral substituent;
• A comprises a Group 13, 14, 15, 16 element of the Periodic Table;
• M is a Group 3, 4, 5 metal of the Periodic Table or lanthanide metal;
• and Q is a hydrocarbyl radical, aryl, halogen radical, hydrogen or amide radical with 3.gtoreq.p.gtoreq.o and m=o or +1;
• 2) placing an .alpha.-substituted acrylate in said vessel;
• 3) allowing the polymerization reaction to proceed;
• and
• 4) quenching the reaction at desired conversion stage.