Highly 2,3-selective polymerization of phenylallene and its derivatives by vanadium complexes

Vanadium complexes containing bulky ligands were investigated for allene polymerization. Such complexes exhibit distinguished 2,3-selectivity (>99%) for phenylallene (PA) polymerization, which was proved from the corresponding nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. In particular, the catalysts with different structures show extremely high 2,3-selectivity. High molecular weight polymers (up to 740 kDa) were obtained in the presence of (AlBu3)-Bu-i as a co-catalyst. Also, the polymerization of monomer containing a methoxy or bromine group smoothly proceeded using the vanadium complexes.

Automated summary

The research found that vanadium complexes containing bulky ligands exhibit excellent 2,3-selectivity in allene polymerization, particularly for phenylallene. High molecular weight polymers can be obtained in the presence of (AlBu3)-Bu-i as a co-catalyst, and polymerization of monomers containing methoxy or bromine groups can proceed smoothly using vanadium complexes.