Alternating Olefin-Diolefin Copolymers

Modifications to the Ziegler-Natta catalyst system have led to the preparation of alternating copolymers from olefins, such as ethylene and propylene, and diolefins, such as butadiene and isoprene. In typical systems (Furukawa 1972, 1974a, b) the catalyst is prepared at very low temperatures (-70°C or below) from three components a 

The predominance of alternating structures was established by ozonolysis and by NMR techniques. In the case of the butadiene-propylene copolymers the butadiene units appear to be predominantly of the trorts-1,4 type. 

In view of the low cost of the monomers employed, the alternating butadiene-propylene rubbers may have more than academic interest. 

Stafford Whitby, G. S. (Ed.), Synthetic Rubber, Wiley, New York (1954). 

Kennedy, J. P. and TSmqvist, E. G. M. (Eds.), Polymer Chemistry of Synthetic Elastomers Parts I and II, Interscience, New York (1968/9). 

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J. Furukawa, Alternating copolymers of diolefins and olefinic compounds. Prog. Polym. Sci. Japan 5, 1 (1973). 

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