POLYMERISATION CATALYSTS COMPRISING AN INITIATOR COMPONENT CONTAINING SILICON, GERMANIUM OR TIN AND A CO-CATALYST CONTAINING ONE OF A SELECTION OF SALTS

摘要

A catalyst for addition polymerisation (in particular the bulk addition polymerisation of acrylics) comprising (a) an (initiator) first component of formula (I): MX(Yn)Zp (I) wherein M is Si, Ge or Sn; n is 0 or an integer, and p is an integer such that (n + p) = 3; X is a radical CHEM where Q and Q1 are each independently N, P or As; Q2 is O, S, NR or PR where R is C1-4 alkyl; R1 is H or optionally substituted hydrocarbyl; and R2 and R3 are each independently optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, or R2 and R3 together are optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbadiyl; all such R1, R2 and R2 being inert in the conditions of the process of the present invention; Y is A or OA where A is optionally substituted hydrocarbyl inert in the conditions of the process of the present invention, or trialkylsilylalkyl; and Z is independently any group as defined for Y, or an organic polymer radical comprising further M(Yn) Zp moieties; or p is 2 and Z2 is a group Z12 of the formula OSiR5R6OSiR7R8O-where R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from any of the values defined for R1 or R2, or Z2 is a group Z2@ which is a moiety -EBE- where E is a bond or O and B is a polymer diradical, or E is O and B is an inorganic solid on whose surface the two -O- groups are located, E in both cases comprising further -OMXmYnO-moieties; and (b) a (co-catalyst) second component salt comprising an anion selected from azide, cyanide, cyanate, fluoride, bifluoride, nitrate and organic mono- and poly-phosphonates, -phosphinates -sulphonates, -sulphinates, -carboxylates, -siloxides and -oxides; and a cation which in use of the catalyst is inert under the polymerisation process conditions yet renders the co-catalyst available in the polymerising medium, the component a) thereof, a composition comprising component a), and an addition polymerisation process catalysed by the catalyst.