Living polymerization of olefins to end-functionalized polymers

摘要

This invention provides a novel catalyst composed of a complex of an organic ether and a Lewis acid, preferably boron trichloride that can add olefin monomers to increase the molecular weight of the complex from as low as 200 to in excess of 100,000 preferably 500 or 1000 to 10,000 and higher, with the complex being active viz., living, until the complex dies, viz., is decomposed or destroyed so that polymers in the liquid or easily liquefiable range of 300 to about 10,000 and preferable 500 or 1000 to 10,000 and higher can be made or those more difficult to be liquefied or unliquefiable, viz., those of over 10,000 up to 100,000 and having useful end groups such as the halogens and specifically chloride.