Kinetics and molecular weights distribution study of neodymium‐catalyzed polymerization of 1,3‐butadiene

Abstract

Abstract The homopolymerization of 1,3‐butadiene in a stirred batch reactor with the catalytic system Nd octoate/diethyl‐aluminium chloride/triisobutyl‐aluminium in n ‐heptane was studied. The effect of various reaction conditions on especially high conversion and molecular weight is reported. Polymerization is shown to be first order with respect to both monomer and neodymium. Molecular weights are high and broadly distributed. Chain transfer to triisobutylaluminium is the main factor governing molecular weight development. A mechanism of polymerization is presented with the chain transfer process incorporated. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.