Coordination polymerization with the novel η 5-C 20H 17Ti(O iPr) 3 complex

Abstract

Modified corannulene based transition metal complexes of titanium as a novel group of metallocene catalysts were synthesized and investigated in coordination polymerization reactions as catalysts in the syndiospecific bulk polymerization of styrene. In comparison to the zirconium complex exo-(η 5-C 20H 17)(η 5-C 5H 5)ZrCl 2, the titanium complex η 5-C 20H 17Ti(O i Pr) 3 shows a significantly increased polymerization activity, a considerably improved stereoregularity of the syndiotactic polymer chain, indicated by the increased melting temperature of 269 °C, as well as a higher weight average molecular weight and a narrower molecular weight distribution.