Cationic polymerization of β-pinene in the presence of alkylaluminum chlorides as catalysts
Cationic polymerization of β-pinene, a naturally occurring monomer, was studied in the presence of different alkylaluminum chlorides (( i Bu)3Al2Cl3, Et3Al2Cl3 и Мe2AlCl) in the solvent mixture dichloromethane/methylcyclohexane (DCM/ MCH) at -78 °C. The effect of catalyst concentration [( i Bu)3Al2Cl3] and various electron donors on the polymerization rate and molecular-weight characteristics of synthesized poly(β-pinenes) was investigated. Controlled cationic polymerization of β-pinene was carried out in the presence СumCl/Мe2AlCl initiating system. The polymers with controlled molecular weight up to 6400 g/mol and relatively low polydispersity (Mw /Mn 1H NMR spectroscopy.