Polymerization of butyl methacrylate with Nd-Al-alpha,alpha '-dipyridyl coordination catalysts

The polymerization of butyl methacrylate (BMA) is carried out by using Nd(n aph)(3)-Al(i-Bu)(3)-alpha, alpha ' -dipyridyl as a coordination catalyst, w hich is prepared from neodymium naphthenate, alpha, alpha ' -dipyridine and triisobutyl aluminium with a molar ratio of 1: 1: 4. The structure of the polybutyl methacrylate is characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The mol ecular weight and its distribution of the polymer are determined by gel chr omatography. These studies reveal that the polymer obtained has mainly isot actic and hetero structure. Coordinate mechanism is proposed for the BMA po lymerization by Nd-Al-alpha, alpha ' -dipyridyl. Kinetic studies show that the BMA polymerization rate is first order with respect to monomer concentr ation. The apparent activation energy of BMA polymerization reaction is 30. 2 kJ/mol.