77 - Role of solvent ligated metal complexes associated with weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) in isobutylene polymerization

Hui Yee Yeong M. Sc., Professor Brigitte Voit, Dr Yang Li, Professor Fritz E Kühn Department of Polymer Structures, Leibniz-Insitut für Polymerforshung Dresden e.V., Dresden, Germany; Molekulare Katalyse, Fakultät für Chemie, Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany

Solvent ligated metal complexes associated with weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) were described in catalytic polymerization of isobutylene in room temperature resulting in highly reactive polyisobutylene (HR-PIB). Since the description of the earlier manganese(II) complexes, further developments and improvements were achieved, noticeably with the copper(II) and the molybdenum(III) complexes associated with the boron based WCAs. Such optimizations include significantly shorter reaction times and the usage of non-halogenated solvent. Hence, efforts were taken to fully understand the role of each of the components involved, particularly the WCAs in the room temperature polymerization process. Recently, similar complexes bearing the aluminate based WCAs have also been described for a similar polymerization process as part of the effort to tap into the diversity of the WCAs and to elucidate its role. The role of the ligated metal centre with its WCAs in the mechanistic process was explored by utilizing established methods to elucidate the mechanism.

Sunday, March 27, 2011 02:30 PM
POLY/PMSE Poster Session (02:30 PM - 04:00 PM)
Location: Hilton Anaheim
Room: California Blrm D