Polymerization catalysts, methods and products
AssigneeColorado State University Research Foundation
InventorsEugene Y. Chen, Yangjian Hu, Yuetao Zhang
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Abstract
The invention provides novel polymer compositions and methods for preparing such compositions. The invention also provides methods for polymerizing various unsaturated monomers, including naturally occurring or plant biomass-derived renewable acrylic monomers. The monomers can be rapidly polymerized using various organic catalysts or organometallic catalysts, as described herein. In one embodiment, nearly perfectly isotactic polymers (mmmm>99%) can be prepared using a C2-symmetric zirconocenium catalyst.
Claims21
A highly isotactic polymer of Formula (I):
- wherein
- n is about 10 to about 45,000;
- R1 is (C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl, or benzyl;
- and
- each of the carbons having substituent R1 has an (R) stereochemical configuration, or each of the carbons having substituent R1 has an (S) stereochemical configuration;
- wherein the polymer of Formula (I) comprises at least 90% isotactic triads with respect to the quaternary carbons of the polymer chain.
A method for preparing a polymer of Formula (II):
- wherein
- n is about 10 to about 45,000;
- R1 is H, (C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl, or benzyl;
- R2 is H, (C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl, or benzyl;
- and one or both of R1 and R2 is H;
- the method comprising polymerizing a monomer of Formula (III):
- wherein R1 is H, (C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl, or benzyl;
- R2 is H, (C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl, or benzyl;
- and one or both of R1 and R2 is H;
- in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is the C2-symmetric zirconocenium catalyst (1) or (2):
- wherein the polymer of Formula (II) is formed by coordination polymerization with the catalyst and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the product polymer is greater than about 190° C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.