COPOLYMERIZATION OF BUTADIENE WITH 1-OCTENE AND 1-DODECENE USING A NEODYMIUM CATALYST SYSTEM

The catalyst system neodym octoate/ethylaluminium sesquichloide/aluminium triisobutyl was used for the copolymerization of butadiene with 1-octene and 1-dodecene. The ratio of the catalyst compounds optimum for the butadiene polymerization was chosen. The effect of comonomer ratio on the copolymer composition, the conversion, the microstructure, the number-average molar mass and on the molar mass distribution was evaluated. The copolymers show a distinctly higher chain branching than polybutadiene. The copolymerization parameters determined according to Kelen-Tudos are very different for both copolymerizations (r(butadiene) >> r(olefin)). Copolymerization was confirmed by H-1 NMR spectroscopy and olefin metathesis.