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4.4 Coordination Polymerization PDF

Coordination polymerization, also known as stereospecific or insertion polymerization, uses Zeigler Natta catalysts formed from triethyl aluminium and titanium halide to polymerize alkenes. The catalyst forms a complex where an ethyl group coordinates to titanium. Polymerization proceeds through initiation by the alkene overlapping with the titanium's empty orbital, propagation by repeated insertion of monomers between the titanium and carbon, and termination through the addition of molecules with active hydrogens. Coordination polymerization allows for stereocontrol of the polymer, producing linear polymers without branching and enabling stereoselective synthesis.

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2K views1 page

4.4 Coordination Polymerization PDF

Coordination polymerization, also known as stereospecific or insertion polymerization, uses Zeigler Natta catalysts formed from triethyl aluminium and titanium halide to polymerize alkenes. The catalyst forms a complex where an ethyl group coordinates to titanium. Polymerization proceeds through initiation by the alkene overlapping with the titanium's empty orbital, propagation by repeated insertion of monomers between the titanium and carbon, and termination through the addition of molecules with active hydrogens. Coordination polymerization allows for stereocontrol of the polymer, producing linear polymers without branching and enabling stereoselective synthesis.

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prasadbbn
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© © All Rights Reserved
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4 POLYMER CHEMISTRY

4.4 Coordination polymerization


COORDINATION POLYMERIZATION (STEREOSPECIFIC or INSERTION POLYMERIZATION)
These polymerization reactions are catalyzed by zeigler Natta catalysts formed between triethyl aluminium
Al(C2H5)3 and titanium halide TiCl3. A coordination complex is formed between these two in which the ethyl group
is coordinated to titanium this is an active catalyst and its structure is shown below

a) Initiation: in the initiation step π cloud of alkene overlaps with an empty orbital of titanium then there is insertion
of alkene molecule between the Ti - C bond

b) Propagation: As intramolecular rearrangement again generates a vacant site on Titanium each time one
monomer molecule can be added in the same fashion.

a) Termination: It can be done by the addition of molecules containing active hydrogen like HX

Significance of coordination polymerization


(1) It permits stereo chemical control. For example, propylene when polymerized by this method preferentially
forms isotactic polymer, but the conventional free radical polymerization results in atactic polypropylene.
(2) Linear polymer, devoid of any branching, can be made. For instance, polyethylene made by Ziegler-Natta
polymerisation is virtually free from any branching.
(3) Stereoselective synthesis is also possible with coordination catalysts since they permit stereochemical control
about the carbon-carbon double bond.
For example, isoprene can be polymerized by using Zeigler-Natta catalyst to cis-1, 4-polyisoprene, which is a
material virtually identical with natural rubber.

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