Ziegler-Natta catalysis and propylene polymerization

Conjugated dienes are among the most significant building blocks both in laboratories and in the chemical industry [1], Especially, 1,3-butadiene and isoprene are key feedstocks for the manufacture of polymers and fine chemicals. Since the discovery of the Ziegler-Natta catalyst for the polymerizations of ethylene and propylene, the powerful features of transition metal catalysis has been widely recognized, and studies in this field have been pursued very actively [2-7]. 

I. Valvassori, A. Zambelli, A. Copolymers of ethylene, higher a-olefins, and monocyclomonool-efins or aUcyl derivatives thereof. U.S. Patent 3,505,301 (Montecatini Edison S.p.A.), April 7, 1970. (b) Zambelli, A. Tosi, C. Sacchi, C. Polymerization of propylene to syndiotactic polymer. VI. Monomer insertion. Macromolecules 1972, 5, 649-654. (c) LocateUi, R Immirzi, A. Zambelli, A. Palumbo, R. Maglio, G. Orientation of propylene units in polypropylene and ethylene/propylene copolymers. Makromol. Chem. 1975,176, 1121-1128. (d) Carman, C. J. Harrington, R. A. Wilkes, C. E. Monomer sequence distribution in ethylene-propylene rubber measured by C NMR. 3. Use of reaction probability mode. Macromolecules 1977, 10, 536-544. (e) Zucchini, U. Dall Occo, T. Resconi, L. Ziegler-Natta catalysis for the polyolefin industry Present status and perspectives. Indian... 

The tremendous significance of the phenomenon of stereo-regularity is demonstrated best by polypropylene (X is CHj). Propylene is a cheap and abundant monomer. It is of interest only when polymerized in the isotactic form using Ziegler-Natta catalysis. The surface structure of the catalyst (see Fig. 1.4) exerts an influence on the presentation of the monomer to the growth... 

Transition metal catalysis plays a key role in the polyolefin industry. The discovery by Ziegler and Natta of the coordination polymerization of ethylene, propylene, and other non-polar a-olefins using titanium-based catalysts, revolutionized the industry. These catalysts, along with titanium- and zirconium-based metallocene systems and aluminum cocatalysts, are still the workhorse in the manufacture of commodity polyolefin materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene [3-6],... 

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