Synthesis of cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber in presence of cobalt containing catalyst system

摘要

It has been determined that 1,3-butadiene monomer can be polymerized into cis-l,4-polybutadiene rubber utilizing a cobalt-based catalyst system which is comprised of (a) an organocobalt compound, (b) a trialkylaluminum compound and (c) hexafluoro-2-propanol. The use of this catalyst system results in extremely fast rates of polymerization. The molecular weight of the cis-1,4- polybutadiene rubber made utilizing this cobalt-based catalyst system can be regulated by conducting the polymerization in the presence of 1,5-cyclooctadiene. This present invention more specifically discloses a catalyst system which is particularly useful for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer into cis-1,4- polybutadiene, said catalyst system being comprised of (a) an organocobalt compound, (b) a trialkylaluminum compound and (c) hexafluoro- 2-propanol. The subject invention further discloses a process for synthesizing cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber which comprises polymerizing 1, 3-butadiene in the presence of (a) an organocobalt compound, (b) a trialkylaluminum compound and (c) hexafluoro-2-propanol.