Polymers of Higher Olefins

Abstract

This article describes polymeric materials derived from higher olefins, α‐olefins with carbon atom numbers 4 and higher, and from cycloolefins. Both higher α‐olefins and cycloolefins can produce homopolymers and copolymers with lighter olefins, mostly with ethylene. Crystalline polymers of higher α‐olefins belong to two classes of stereoregular polymers, isotactic and syndiotactic. Isotactic polymers are produced with two types of catalysts, heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta catalysts and some bridged metallocene catalysts. Other types of metallocene catalysts produce either crystalline syndiotactic polymers or amorphous atactic polymers. Higher α‐olefins can also be polymerized with cationic initiators to amorphous oligomeric materials. Cycloolefins are polymerized via two different mechanisms: the ring‐opening metathesis reaction catalyzed with tungsten, ruthenium, or molybdenum compounds, and polymerization reactions without cycle opening catalyzed with metallocene complexes. Several types of polymers and copolymers of higher α‐olefins and cycloolefins are produced commercially: Isotactic crystalline poly(1‐butene) (PB) and poly(4‐methyl‐1‐pentene) (PMP). Oligomers of linear α‐olefins, viscous liquids. Copolymers of cycloolefins, such as cyclopentene or norbornene, and ethylene, tough amorphous transparent plastics. Polymers of cycloolefins, poly(dicyclopentadiene), poly(cyclooctene), and poly(norbornene). Copolymers of higher α‐olefins with ethylene containing from 6 to 50 wt% of higher α‐olefins. Due to high commercial significance of these materials, they are described in a separate article, “Polyethylene, Linear Low Density”. Crystalline PB is used to manufacture pipe, tubing, and blown film. Crystalline PMP is a highly transparent plastic. It is used for the manufacture of medical equipment, chemical laboratory equipment, and a variety of injection‐molded articles. Liquid oligomers of higher linear α‐olefins produced with cationic initiators have found wide applications as base oils in the formulation of various industrial lubricants. They are used in synthetic lubricating oils for cars, transformer oils, transmission and crankcase fluids, etc. Copolymers of cycloolefins and ethylene are amorphous materials with high glass points. They are used as transparent specialty plastics with high toughness. Polymer of cyclooctene is an elastic material of low crystallinity; it is mostly used as a component in rubber, poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC)‐ and poly (styrene) (PS)‐based compositions. Cured liquid‐molding resins based on poly(dicyclopentadiene) are used for the manufacture of automotive parts for trucks, snowmobiles, wheel loaders, and recreational vehicles.

Selective Ethylene Oligomerization with Chromium-Based Metal–Organic Framework MIL-100 Evacuated under Different Temperatures

“…1 The light fraction of linear α-olefins (LAOs), particularly C4, C6, and C8, are employed as comonomers for the production of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) copolymers. 2 Continually increasing demand for these shortchain oligomers has led to great interest in selective ethylene oligomerization technologies. 3 Selective ethylene oligomerization systems have been reported for chromium, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and hafnium homogeneous catalysts.…”

Concurrent curing kinetics of an anhydride-cured epoxy resin and polydicyclopentadiene

“…In this work, we examine the behavior of blends of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)based epoxy resin, contributing high tensile strength and modulus, and polydicyclopentadiene (polyDCPD), which has a higher toughness and impact strength as compared to other thermoset polymers. (28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33) The DGEBA is cured with an anhydride and the dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) is cured with a transition metal catalyst via ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). It is important to note that the two systems are not only desirable because of their complementary mechanical properties, but also due to their respective non-interfering thermosetting reactions.…”

Bis(pyrazolyl)thioether/amine‐chromium(III) catalysts bearing pendantO‐ andN‐donor group for oligomerization and polymerization of ethylene

“…Furthermore, the increasing demand of these comonomers in the automobile sector and the production of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) have boosted the scientific research in this area. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Usually, these LAOs are produced by transition-metal-based catalysts following a Cossee-Arlman mechanism and consequently yield a Schulz-Flory distribution of oligomers. Several companies (Shell, Ineos, Idemitsu, Sabic/Linde Alpha-SABLIN ® , Sasol, and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP) produce a wide distribution of LAOs from C 4 to C 20.…”