Copolymerization of ethylene and butadiene with supported titanium catalyst

Abstract

Abstract The copolymerization of ethylene and butadiene with a supported titanium catalyst (TiCl 4 /MgCl 2 /EB/Φ 2 SiCl 2 /AlEt 3 ) is described. The resulting products were characterized by IR, 13 C‐NMR, x‐ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, electron microscopy, and solvent extraction. It was found that the butadiene units are substantially in trans‐1,4 configuration and blocked sequences. Both ethylene and butadiene blocks form crystalline phases. The presence of unsaturated bonds made it possible to graft MMA and maleic anhydride. The influences of monomer composition, temperature, Al/Ti ratio, catalyst concentration, and solvents on the copolymerization were investigated.