Stereochemical Control in the Syndiotactic Polymerization of Styrene

Mechanisms for Stereochemical Control in the Syndiotactic Polymerization of Styrene 

NORIO TOMOTSU, THOMAS H. NEWMAN, and RICHARD CAMPBELL JR.  

Catalysts for the syndiospecific polymerization of styrene are typically group 4 metal compounds, especially titanium compounds, with MAO or borate derivatives as the cocatalyst [1-3], Catalysts for the syndiospecific polymerization of propylene should have complex ligands to control the coordination and the insertion of the monomer. However, catalysts for the syndiospecific polymerization of styrene do not need special ligands. 

This chapter will summarize studies that clarify the nature of the active center and will explain the mechanisms of polymerization and of stereochemical control. 

2 INSERTION OF THE GROWING POLYMER CHAIN INTO THE DOUBLE BOND OF STYRENE 

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