Polymerization of epoxides catalysed by metalloporphine

Abstract

Abstract The catalyst system obtained by the equimolar reaction of diethylaluminium chloride with α,β,γ,δ‐tetraphenylporphine exhibits high catalytic activity in the polymerization of propylene oxide to give a polymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution. Average molecular weight of the polymer can be controlled by the initial mole ratio of propylene oxide to catalyst or by the conversion. Ethylene oxide also produces a polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution.