Propylene-based polymers polypropylene synthesis

Various metal complex systems of Ziegler type are widely applied within industry for the production of high-density polyethylene, isotactic polypropylene, 1,4-c/s-and 1,4- rans-polymers of isoprene and 1,2-poly butadiene, and many other types of copolymers, such as ones based on ethylene and propylene, which could not be produced earlier based on traditional methods of synthesis. 

Coordination polymerization also produces high sterospecificity in the polymerization of alkenes. Isotactic and syndiotactic polymers can be obtained by appropriate choice of the catalyst components although such polymers are not useful as elastomers. However, Ziegler-Natta catalysts are used to produce EPR and EPDM rubbers. (Coordination polymerization is important for the synthesis of linear polyethylene and isotactic polypropylene which find extensive utility as plastics.) The Symposium paper by Su and Shih describes the synthesis of propylene-l-hexene block copolymers using several catalysts based on titanium and aluminum components. 

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