Copolymerization of norbornene and methyl acrylate catalyzed by Nd(naph)3–Al(i-Bu)3

Abstract

The copolymerization of norbornene (NB) and methyl acrylate (MA) catalyzed by Nd(naph)3–Al(i-Bu)3 and the structure of the copolymers are studied in this article. All polymerization reactions were carried out under nitrogen atmosphere using syringe technique. The copolymers are characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, GPC, and TGA. Norbornene and methyl acrylate are 22.2 and 77.8 mol%, respectively, in the copolymer. The molecular weight distribution is Mw/Mn < 2.0. The molecular weight of copolymer changes with the change of NB/MA in molar ratio. Molecular weight and its distribution of copolymer decrease as molar ratio of NB/MA increases. The copolymerization can be performed in solvents such as aromatic hydrocarbon. The copolymerization can be obtained at room temperature, whereas the copolymer yield increases with increasing reaction temperature. The yield of copolymer changes with the Al/Nd molar ratio with a preferable Al/Nd molar ratio of 30.