Evaluation of Cl/Nd and Al/Nd Molar Ratios in the Polymerization of 1,3-butadiene with the Catalyst System Comprising Neodymium Versatate/di-isobutylaluminium hydride/t-butyl Chloride

This work studied ternary catalyst systems composed of neodymium versatate, t-butyl chloride and diisobutyl-aluminium hydride used in the cis-1,4 polymerization of butadiene in hexane. The effect of Cl/Nd and Al/Nd molar ratios on the polymerization was investigated. The polymers were characterized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and viscosimetry in melted-state. The catalytic activity, molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and Mooney viscosity were strongly influenced by the Cl/Nd molar ratio. The highest cis contents were observed at Cl/Nd molar ratio >= 3. The maximum of catalytic activity was obtained at Cl/Nd molar ratios between 3 and 5. The microstructure of polybutadiene was significantly influenced by the increase in the Al/Nd molar ratio. The maximum value, 99% of cis content, was observed for the Al/Nd molar ratio = 10. The conversion data versus reaction time showed that the rate of polymerization increases with the Al/Nd molar ratio reaching a maximum in Al/Nd = 23. The molecular weight distribution curves showed a significant chain transfer process for polymers produced at higher Al/Nd molar ratios.